Signs and treatment of a hip fracture in the elderly

Symptoms, treatment, recovery period after surgery for hip fracture

Symptoms of a hip fracture in an elderly person are well known to doctors. This injury is considered the most dangerous in old age, recovery is very difficult. In most cases, a person becomes disabled after an injury. Most often, the pathology is diagnosed in women, because during the climacteric period, serious hormonal changes occur in the body and the bone tissue becomes too fragile.

Signs of hip fracture in old age

Trauma has different symptoms in old and young age. The following signs are characteristic of people over 60 years old:

1. Pain. With a femoral neck fracture, it can be mild and radiate to the groin area. In a state of rest, this symptom is absent, but when moving, the pain worsens. In some cases, pain at the fracture site is clearly manifested only when tapping the heel - this is also a sign of a closed hip fracture in the elderly.
2. Immobilization of limbs. The patient is unable to lean on the leg with the damaged joint due to severe pain. Even in the supine position, the victim cannot turn the leg inward and is forced to position it only with a twist outward. In some cases, the affected leg becomes shorter than the healthy one - this is the primary consequence of a displaced femoral neck fracture.
3. Hematoma in the groin area. It is formed a few days after a hip fracture. If a person is overweight, such a bruise may be completely absent.

All the listed signs give reason to make a preliminary diagnosis, but the final verdict is issued only after an X-ray examination.

Treatment and recovery after hip fracture in the elderly

For a hip fracture in an elderly person, doctors can apply both operative and therapeutic treatment.

Therapy

Conservative methods are appropriate if surgical intervention is contraindicated for the patient. It includes:

1. Skeletal traction. It is imposed in hospital conditions and can last from several weeks to 2 months.
2. Reposition of debris. It means putting on a special bandage that allows the patient to move, but only with the help of crutches and on the condition that there is no support on the damaged lower limb. The duration of this stage of treatment can be 6-8 months, the term depends on how the bone fusion proceeds.
3. Drugs. Medicines that improve metabolic processes in cartilaginous and bone tissue, vitamins must be included in the prescription.

After carrying out the main therapeutic methods, the next stage comes - rehabilitation after a hip fracture without surgery. It includes therapeutic physical education, massage, and physioprocedures. Special exercises have been developed after a hip fracture in order to walk as before. Appointments are made by the doctor taking into account the general well-being of the patient. You will definitely need enhanced nutrition - protein and carbohydrates, fats and trace elements must enter the body in full, they are the ones that give strength and energy for recovery.

The prognosis for treating a hip fracture in the elderly with therapeutic methods is not always favorable - it is too difficult to restore bones with their fragility and impaired metabolism. Much depends on the age at which the injury occurred and the physical condition of the patient.

Operative treatment

Surgical intervention allows you to preserve the mobility of the lower limb and prevent the patient from becoming disabled. Modern medicine offers endoprosthesis of the hip joint, which significantly improves the life of the patient, who will be able to lead an active lifestyle and not stop working.

If the fracture is uncomplicated, doctors connect bone fragments with metal structures, the fixation of which ensures their correct and quick fusion. But if there are signs of aseptic tissue necrosis, the patient is prescribed a complete hip joint replacement. The terms of recovery after surgery for a hip fracture are individual - some patients begin to move with the help of crutches literally after a few days, others remain lying down even with a favorable result of the doctor's work.

Additional physiotherapy plays a big role in recovery after surgery. We are talking about professional massage, which provides stress on the muscles surrounding the joint, and exercise therapy. Physiotherapy after a femoral neck fracture should be started on the second or third day after surgery. They are performed only after appointment and under the supervision of a specialist, because even minor violations can lead to serious complications and the need for repeated surgery.

Relatives should provide care for a bedridden patient with a hip fracture. The recovery forecast also depends on this. If the victim is forced to be immobile for a long time, it is necessary to regularly prevent the appearance of bedsores and prevent the development of pulmonary edema.

Many are interested in how long they live after a hip fracture in old age. Doctors claim that such an injury does not have a great impact on the vitality of the body. And proper patient care, timely treatment and competent recovery after it are the main indicators of the patient's life expectancy.

What is a derotation boot for impingement fracture of the femoral neck, how long can a patient's rehabilitation last after surgery - you can find answers to these and other questions on the pages of Dobrobut.com.

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