Hip fracture in the elderly, how to define, and what to do for a speedy recovery

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Quite often catches the disease in older people.Statistics show that more than 6% of the number of fractures falls on her hip.And 90% - in the elderly.There is nothing good in fractures, and for the young, but a hip fracture in older people almost never heals naturally.This contributes to the thinning of the bones due to diseases of the joints, arthritis and osteoporosis.

Even small traumatic effect on the unhealthy tissue results in a fracture, there are cases when a hip fracture occurs in the elderly, even by a small push.Fractures of the type "impacted joint" are dangerous because they are difficult to diagnose without X-rays, while the man walks alone.Sometimes the treatment of sciatic nerve - wrongly diagnosed and treated had a hip fracture in the elderly .

What should pay attention

When the pelvis appears constant pain, and you try to turn or lift the leg, it grows stronger, there is every reason to suspect hip fracture in the elderly.

  • leg can be unnaturally twisted and turned so that the foot is almost tangent to the plane.
  • leg does not rise and does not rotate independently.
  • noticeably shortened compared with a healthy leg 2-4 cm.
  • When "impacted" the turn, when the joint is not displaced, the pain is felt in the groin, wearing a permanent character and amplified only when driving.

What to do before the arrival of the doctor

  • necessary to immediately call an ambulance.
  • Put the patient in bed on his back.
  • Give painkillers.
  • Try to fix the injured leg without turning it and straightening, with the seizure of the joints, knee and hip.
  • In the absence of fixation, put his injured leg on a flat pillow under the forefoot put rollers with sand or roll of folded soft cloth.

treatment and recovery

In the first minutes of the patient is very important to support the person who is experiencing a lot of stress from a fall and pain.We must try to calm him down and make sure that hip fracture in the elderly - it is not a sentence, with proper treatment, the patient's desire and efforts to recover from injury, many live a full life.

Treatment can be either surgical or conservative, where surgery is not possible due to the overall condition of the patient.Surgery of hip fracture in the elderly - a serious test for the patient, but it allows you to record the most durable joints using special techniques.

If surgery is not possible, and conservative treatments give good results, provided that the patient follows all recommendations of doctors and make every effort to recover.

care to patients after surgery and conservative treatment

  • When the operation took place at the beginning of healing the pain persists 5-7 days.If the patient is at home, let's painkillers, show empathy, encourage and reassure him.
  • In the early days can be urinary incontinence, do not panic, with proper treatment and care, the problem will soon be eliminated.
  • Use plain jar for urinary diversion for both men and women.For defecation need to purchase the ship "Lada", it is most convenient.
  • Always ensure that the patient drink enough fluids.No need to give sodas, suitable herbal tea, yogurt, fruit and milk.
  • Always observe regular meal with plenty of fiber (salads, fruits and vegetables), dairy products.No need to give a lot of meat in the diet include bran supplements that improve intestinal motility.

Therapeutic exercise for older people with a diagnosis of hip fracture

for the patient over the bed satisfied "Balkan frame" if you do not say the name, ask your doctor, you explain.The height of the frame should be comfortable for a sick person could catch up and move around in bed by hand.For rehabilitation and a quick return to normal life, should be exercise therapy for older people, in accordance with the doctor's recommendations.

  • Already in the first days to do the breathing, restorative physical education: to actively move the toes, making it a circular motion, stretch the muscles thighs and drumsticks, turning the ankle, with the help of the frame to sit down in bed.
  • turns in bed, doing torso and head, combining them with breathing exercises.
  • good foot and do not forget to actively pursue physical therapy for the elderly, and on it to not lose muscle tone .
  • If there is no drawing, the period prescribed by a doctor is necessary to learn to walk on crutches.With good treatment, even after the operation is already on the 5th day permit flexion and extension leg and crutches to put in two or three weeks.

Be aware of age, can not be prematurely load the leg, it can lead to a shift in the joint fragments and more serious complications - aseptic necrosis.Active sessions allow three or four months to load the injured leg is not more than 30% of body weight, you need to move with the help of a cane or a crutch.Full rehabilitation is possible only after six months, and rehabilitation - eight months.