A geriatric fracture refers to a fracture that occurs in an elderly patient. These types of fractures are much more common in women and most commonly occur in the hip. In fact, nearly half of all women and nearly one-third of all men over the age of 65 will experience a major osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime.
Fractures in the elderly are a major public health concern, especially as the incidence increases with age and the elderly population grows. Geriatric fracture is a problem for both men and women as they age.
The challenges are identifying those at greatest risk and ensuring that treatment is cost-effective. Elderly people should be taught how to improve their bone health and reduce their risk of injury, but these precautions should not be limited to this age group because prevention should be practiced throughout life.
Causes of Geriatric Fractures
A fracture occurs when the force applied to a bone is greater than the bone's ability to withstand. In geriatric age, bones become brittle with age or weak due to conditions such as osteoporosis or other systemic diseases. Fractures are commonly caused by trivial falls but they can also occur when a repetitive motion causes a fatigued muscle, putting more pressure on the bone. Individuals who are sedentary or frequently consume alcohol are at a higher risk of fractures. Visit our ortho hospital in Vijayawada for the best treatment.
Symptoms of Geriatric Fractures
The symptoms of a geriatric fracture are usually fairly obvious, especially if the injury was caused by a fall. They may include the following:
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Sudden pain following a trivial fall
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Swelling in the affected region
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Limited movement in the injured area
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Pain and inability to move the affected limb
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Bruising or redness
Diagnosis of Geriatric Fractures
A complete medical history (including questions about how the injury occurred) and physical exam are required, and tests for a fracture may include the following:
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X-ray: A diagnostic test that is effective in diagnosing almost all fractures
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CT scan may be required if it’s an unidentified fracture or to further understand the fracture pattern. To know more, consult with our top orthopaedic doctor in Vijayawada.
Treatment of Geriatric Fractures
Geriatric fracture treatment options are determined by the type of injury as well as the patient's age and overall health. The goal of treatment is to get the patient out of bed as early as possible.
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Conservative treatment is followed when the fracture is involving a non-weight-bearing bone and is not displaced much or if patient's general condition does not support surgery.
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Surgical intervention is done whenever there is a need in order to quickly ambulate the patient thereby preventing other complications like bed sores, DVT, etc.
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Medications to control pain and calcium supplementation are given in both conservative and surgical treatments.
What measures should be taken by elderly people to prevent fractures?
The majority of fractures are the result of accidents, such as falls or other injuries. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of bone fractures, such as:
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Adopting a healthy diet, including majorly including the intake of foods containing vitamin D and calcium for strong bones.
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Doing strengthening exercises keeps the bones strong.
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Tobacco of any kind should be avoided. Tobacco and nicotine both increase the risk of bone fractures and impede healing.
Consultant - Orthopaedics
Manipal Hospitals, Vijayawada
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