| Hip Fracture Basics: Types and Causes of Broken | | | | head and neck of the femur with a metal prosthesis. |
| Hips | | | | Total hip replacement is the most invasive of the |
| Hip fractures are serious injuries that often require | | | | three options. If for some reason, the socket joint in |
| surgery to repair. Every year in the United States | | | | the hip is damaged - total hip replacement might be |
| alone over 300,000 people suffer broken hips and | | | | the best option. In this procedure, the surgeons will |
| require hospitalization. Of that number, over half of | | | | not only replace the top portion of the femur, but |
| those people suffering a hip fracture are over the | | | | also the joint section of the pelvic bone. One of the |
| age of 80. | | | | benefits of total hip replacement is that it allows |
| Bone density, age, and other medical conditions can | | | | patients to become mobile again sooner after the |
| all contribute to the likelihood of a broken hip, but | | | | surgery than other options. This can help to prevent |
| generally a fracture occurs because of some sort of | | | | other complications associated with major surgery |
| trauma to the area, like a fall. Most hip fractures in | | | | from developing. |
| the elderly are caused by falls, while in younger | | | | Hospital stays after surgery for a hip fracture can |
| patients - car accidents and other high impact injuries | | | | vary in length - although the average stay in the |
| are the most likely causes. | | | | hospital generally lasts a week. The majority of |
| Elderly women and other patients with osteoporosis | | | | patients will require physical therapy for a long period |
| are at a greater risk of suffering a broken hip in the | | | | following the surgery to recover completely. Older |
| event of a fall. Because osteoporosis weakens the | | | | and less mobile patients may even have to look to a |
| skeletal system by causing loss of bone mass - | | | | long term care facility if they don't have available help |
| bones and joints are at a greater risk of fracturing in | | | | or care at home. |
| the event of trauma. | | | | Help With Recovery and Prevention of Hip Fractures |
| Hip fractures are actually the breaking of the femur | | | | Exercise and physical activity is a key in helping with |
| (the bone that extends from the pelvis to the knee) | | | | both recovery from a hip fracture and prevention of |
| inside or near the hip joint. Hip fractures are generally | | | | those fractures. Because mobility is limited following |
| placed into 2 main classifications - a Femoral Neck | | | | surgery for hip fractures, the use of a rolling walker |
| Fracture or an Intertrochanteric Fracture. Both of | | | | is often a good idea for elderly patients as it will help |
| these types of fractures are very serious and in | | | | them get the exercise to speed up healing and also |
| most cases will necessitate surgery to repair the | | | | help to prevent another fall from aggravating the |
| fractures. | | | | injury further. |
| Femoral Neck Fracture | | | | Everyday tasks will probably become a little more |
| The femoral neck is just below the head (top) of the | | | | difficult for a patient recovering from hip fracture |
| femur. A femoral neck fracture generally occurs | | | | surgery. Things like bending over to tie shoes or |
| within 1 to 2 inches from the end of the femur. | | | | getting dressed in the morning will require a little bit |
| Intertrochanteric Fracture | | | | of extra effort. Lifting the affected leg into bed or |
| This fracture occurs within 3 to 4 inches of the head | | | | onto the couch will also become more difficult at |
| of the femur and usually requires the use of a metal | | | | times during the recovery. There are quite a few |
| plate and screw to hold the bone in place while it | | | | products like extended shoe horns and leg lifters |
| heals - allowing the head of the femur to continue | | | | which can ease the pain and difficulty of recovery. |
| moving normally in the hip socket. | | | | Often times, simple tasks that are taken for granted |
| Though hip fractures are generally caused by a | | | | become more complicated. Bathing for example is an |
| serious trauma - a fall or a high impact injury - other | | | | everyday thing that becomes tough following hip |
| factors can contribute to the risk of sustaining a | | | | surgery. A sponge on an extended handle or a bath |
| broken hip. | | | | bench become tools which can really help. |
| Age | | | | To make recovery easier, the purchase of a "hip kit" |
| Statistics show that age is a large factor. The | | | | is a small investment for quite a bit of help. Common |
| majority of hip related injuries and fractures occur in | | | | items that you'll find in a hip kit include: |
| people over 80. There are two main reasons why | | | | - Long Handled Sponges |
| this may be true: bone density loss and the presence | | | | - Long Handled Shoe Horn |
| of other medical conditions affecting balance and | | | | - A Dressing Stick |
| mobility. But also effecting elderly patients are general | | | | - Extendable Reachers or Grabbers |
| aging issues like loss of vision and a decreasing or | | | | - Leg Lifters |
| weakening sense of balance. | | | | Mobility and physical therapy are both important |
| Medical Conditions | | | | factors in helping to speed up recovery. Full use of |
| Osteoporosis puts patients at an even higher risk for | | | | the hip will take some time, but in patients that were |
| breaking a hip simply because it reduces bone | | | | healthy prior to the surgery, a full recovery is |
| density. There are a number of other medical | | | | possible and likely. |
| conditions that will also lead up to and increase | | | | Exercise is a major factor in recovery as well as the |
| chances of developing osteoporosis which in turn can | | | | prevention of other complications arising because of |
| lead to increased risks for hip fractures. | | | | the surgery. Any help that a patient can enlist - either |
| The development of other diseases and conditions | | | | from family or qualified medical practitioners is going |
| like Parkinson's disease which effect a person's | | | | to aid them in recovery. |
| mobility and balance can contribute to an increased | | | | Prevention Tips |
| risk of falling and breaking a hip as well. Diabetes, | | | | Learning how to prevent falls is another factor that is |
| arthritis, and similar diseases can also effect a | | | | going to seriously limit the likelihood of breaking a hip. |
| person's activity levels which in turn increases risk. | | | | * Building railings or ramps to help with stairs around |
| Physical Inactivity | | | | the home is a good idea. |
| Because physical inactivity can lead to the weakening | | | | * Installing rails next to the toilet and in the bathtub |
| of bones, tendons, and muscles - it can also | | | | or shower is another preventative measure. They're |
| contribute to a higher risk of fracturing critical bones | | | | also great ideas to help somebody who is trying to |
| and joints. Physical inactivity can in turn lead to other | | | | recover from hip surgery since their mobility will be |
| conditions such as obesity and weight gain which can | | | | more limited for a time. |
| put a larger strain on a weakening bone structure. | | | | * Rearranging furniture to allow for clear paths. |
| Maintaining a regular physical activity schedule will | | | | * Check rugs and carpets for slippage or places |
| often reduce a patient's risk of hip fracture. | | | | somebody could trip. |
| Mortality Rates and Common Problems Associated | | | | * Consider the use of a hip protector - a low profile |
| with Hip Fractures | | | | pad that you wear beneath your clothing and over |
| Hip fractures are serious injuries that require | | | | your hip to help absorb any impact from a fall. |
| immediate medical attention because there are a | | | | * Keep cords stowed safely away. |
| number of problems and conditions that can arise | | | | * Place used items in easy to reach places - avoid |
| because of the broken bone. Studies have shown | | | | step stools and ladders where balance might be lost. |
| that mortality rates following a hip fracture can be | | | | * Make sure areas of the home and yard are well lit. |
| rather high for a number of reasons which include the | | | | Being able to see a hazard is half the battle. |
| development of other serious medical conditions | | | | * Wear practical shoes that are non-slip. |
| (blood clots and infections) as well as the age of the | | | | Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also decrease your |
| patient at the time of the injury (since the majority | | | | risk of breaking a hip. Not only exercise, but proper |
| of fractures occurs among seniors). | | | | nutrition is important. |
| A study published in the British Medical Journal places | | | | * Weight Bearing Exercise - Helps to fight bone |
| mortality rates within one year of suffering a | | | | density loss and works to maintain the strength of |
| fractured hip at 20%. And this number only increases | | | | tendons and muscles that support the joints. Not only |
| with the age of the patient - as many as 33% of | | | | that, but regularly walking or exercising will help to |
| patients over the age of 80 die within a year of | | | | maintain your sense of balance and agility - making |
| breaking a hip. The 30 day mark following surgery for | | | | the likelihood of a fall less likely. |
| a fractured hip is high in this population also - coming | | | | * Smoking - Believe it or not, smoking actually works |
| in at about 10%. | | | | to reduce your bone density. So not only can it |
| A number of factors contribute to these high | | | | cause cancer - but it can weaken your bones. |
| numbers. Post-operative complications like infections | | | | * Calcium and Vitamin D - Proper nutrition and |
| (i.e. pneumonia or bronchitis) are dangerous factors. | | | | watching levels of calcium in your diet (through foods |
| The general health of the patients involved in the | | | | or supplements) will work to maintain your bone |
| study also contributes to the high mortality rates. | | | | density so that in the event of a fall, you are less |
| Because as we talked about, a number of other | | | | likely to fracture your hip. Vitamin D is also a key |
| conditions can increase a patients risk of breaking a | | | | component of this process as it helps your body |
| hip. These same conditions (obesity, diabetes, | | | | absorb and process calcium. |
| osteoporosis, Parkinson's, and others) can also make | | | | Other Hip Fracture Resources |
| recovery more difficult. | | | | There are a ton of available resources on the web |
| Mobility factors increase risk as well. Because a | | | | these days that can help you in the prevention of or |
| broken hip makes it even more difficult for patients | | | | recovery from a hip fracture. The following is a listing |
| to get proper exercise, the overall deterioration of | | | | and review of some great web sites and articles if |
| the body due to inactivity can bring about other | | | | you would like more information on hip fracture |
| health problems or exasperate existing conditions like | | | | prevention, treatment, and recovery. |
| heart disease. For patients that are bedridden | | | | The Mayo Clinic |
| following surgery, pressure sores and infections | | | | The Mayo Clinic is a highly respected non-profit |
| become an increased risk. | | | | organization and clinic that maintains clinics in |
| Overall, the general health of a patient prior to the | | | | Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida. They also have a |
| sustained injury and following surgery is going to play | | | | very informative web site that is a great resource |
| highly in determining the likelihood of the patient's | | | | for countless medical conditions. The section of the |
| complete recovery. This is why younger patients | | | | web site on hip fractures is very in depth and |
| tend to recover more completely and quickly as they | | | | organized in a way that you can find information |
| are less likely to have preexisting medical conditions | | | | very easily on prevention of hip fractures or help |
| that are going to be worsened by the injury. | | | | with recovery from hip surgery. |
| Mortality rates and other complications decrease | | | | is an interesting web site in that it deals with the care |
| significantly in patients that work hard at maintaining | | | | of patients following surgeries like total hip |
| an active and healthy lifestyle regardless of age. | | | | replacement. On this web site you'll find questions and |
| Often for these folks - a broken hip is a temporary | | | | tips related to helping patients or parents who are |
| setback, though it is still a serious injury. Recovery | | | | going through a difficult hip surgery recovery. |
| though will often be a lot simpler if the patient has | | | | Advice on how to deal with the medical condition is |
| maintained general good health prior to fracturing | | | | provided, as well as advice on how to help the |
| their hip. | | | | patient mentally get through the recovery is |
| How Hip Fractures are Treated | | | | discussed. |
| In most cases, a hip fracture is going to require | | | | This web site also provides access to a network of |
| surgery. In cases where surgery is not possible | | | | caregivers and service providers in your area if you |
| because of an illness or other factor - traction may | | | | need additional help with recovering from hip surgery. |
| be used. In those cases without surgery - the main | | | | You can find providers for any level of help that |
| treatment for a broken hip relies mainly on pain | | | | might be needed, from full time care to part time |
| reduction. | | | | help with housework and chores. The great thing |
| Both types of hip fractures - the femoral neck | | | | about this service is that you can post your needs |
| fracture and the intertrochanteric fracture - require | | | | and interview potential caregivers as well as look at a |
| surgery. The exact procedure is slightly different for | | | | background check. |
| each type. | | | | Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle are the |
| Intertrochanteric Fracture Surgery | | | | best preventative measures that you can take |
| When the break is lower on the femur as in an | | | | towards avoiding a hip fracture. Working as an online |
| intertrochanteric fracture (occurring 3 to 4 inches | | | | community and resource, is a great resource and |
| from the head of the femur) a different procedure is | | | | web site to use to maintain that active and healthy |
| generally used. Doctors will attach a metal plate to | | | | lifestyle. |
| the side of the femur and insert a metal hip | | | | Nutrition information and tools like their 'meal planner' |
| compression screw into the femur. This compression | | | | and 'weight tracker' are great ways to make sure |
| screw and plate allows the bone fragments to | | | | you are doing everything you can to stay healthy. |
| compress together and mend themselves. | | | | Participating in the community forums is also a great |
| Femoral Neck Fracture Surgery | | | | way to meet other people facing the same issues or |
| With a femoral neck fracture, surgery will generally | | | | working towards the same goals. |
| involve one of three types of procedures: metal | | | | Hip fractures are a common injury, especially among |
| screws, replacing part of the femur, or total hip | | | | the elderly - so reaching out to a community like |
| replacement. | | | | EveryDayHealth will give you the opportunity to find |
| Using metal screws, the surgeon will align the bones | | | | understanding support of what it is you might be |
| and fix them in place with three long metal screws | | | | going through following hip surgery. |
| which will remain in place and not be removed. These | | | | Finding the proper support, medical care, and tools to |
| screws serve to allow the bones to mend back | | | | aid in the recovery from hip fracture surgery is a key |
| together as well as strengthen that section of the | | | | component to reducing the difficulty and likelihood of |
| femur. | | | | complications from a broken hip. Whether you have |
| If the doctors are unable to align the bones in a way | | | | experienced a hip fracture or are just interested in |
| that will allow them to heal properly, they will usually | | | | the prevention of a future injury - there's a myriad |
| attempt a procedure known as a hemiarthroplasty. | | | | of online resources available to help you in that quest. |
| This involves removing and replacing the damaged | | | | |