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Hip Fracture in Elderly Women Hip fracture is a common problem among elderly women. Reliable rehabilitation centers offer effective treatment for the condition with surgery, pain management, and physical therapy. The hip is a large weight-bearing joint and is directly connected to any movement involving the lower body. Fracture of a hip bone is a major problem affecting elderly women. A hip fracture occurs when the upper quarter of the femur (thigh) bone breaks. If untreated, hip fractures in the elderly can have life endangering consequences.
What Reports Say •
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, approximately 70 percent of hip fractures occur in women.
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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that by the age of 90, one in four women and one in eight men will have suffered a fractured hip.
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According to a recent report, approximately one in six women will have a hip fracture in her lifetime. http://www.hqbk.com/
1-718-769-2521
http://www.hqbk.com/
1-718-769-2521
Causes Often, falls from a standing height are the major cause of a fractured hip. Elderly patients with osteoporosis are at a much higher risk of developing a hip fracture. Medical conditions affecting balance and mobility such as Parkinson’s disease can also cause breakage of bones. Poor nutrition, balance problems, poor vision and physical inactivity or lack of exercises are other causes of hip fracture in the elderly.
Types of Hip Fractures Fractures of the hip are categorized as femoral neck fractures and intertrochanteric fractures. A femoral neck fractures generally occur within 1 to 2 inches from the end of the femur, while an intertrochanteric fracture occurs 3 to 4 inches from the head of the femur. Symptoms for hip fracture include: • • • •
Stiffness Inability to move immediately after fall Bruising and swelling around hip area Severe pain in the hip area
Diagnosis and Treatment: http://www.hqbk.com/
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The nature and intensity of the fracture will be identified using diagnostic modalities such as X-ray and MRI. Based on the diagnosis, reliable rehabilitation centers provide customized treatment methods including surgery, pain management, physical therapy, medications and fall prevention programs to speed up recovery, provide pain relief and improve mobility. •
Orthopedic Surgery: The usual surgery involves opening up the hip joint and placing a pin internally through the neck of the femur into the femoral head. An intertrochanteric fracture would require the placement of a metal plate and screw to hold the bone in place while it heals. In some cases, it would be necessary to replace the part of the femur or perform total hip replacement (arthroplasty).
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Pain management programs: Both pharmacologic and/or non-pharmacologic pain management interventions are utilized to control the pain such as system analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), anti-convulsants, and relaxation therapy.
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Physical therapy: Physical therapy intervention for a fractured hip is intended to improve mobility and involves muscle re-education, strengthening exercises, balance retraining, and gait training
Preventing Falls http://www.hqbk.com/
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Older adult who have suffered a fall-related hip fracture are at the increased risk of more falls. Preventing falls in older adults can reduce fractures to a great extent. According to the CDC, fall prevention programs have effectively reduced falls in select populations by 30%-50% using multifaceted approaches that include various combinations of education, exercise, medication assessment, risk factor reduction, and environmental modifications. Reliable healthcare centers provide slip/fall prevention programs that can reduce the risks of injury/fall in the elderly. The program is designed to identify the physical and environmental factors that cause falls and to modify these factors to prevent them. Posted by HealthQuest http://www.hqbk.com/
http://www.hqbk.com/
1-718-769-2521