Due
to the low temperature in winter, roads are prone to slippery conditions and
insufficient lighting, making it a high-risk period for elderly people to
suffer fractures. Recently, 89-year-old Grandma Zhang accidentally fell at home
and was diagnosed with a femoral neck fracture. She then went to the orthopedic
department of Hainan Chengmei Hospital for hip replacement surgery and is
currently recovering well post-surgery.
Professor
Peng Hao, a specially-appointed expert at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, reminds us
that the incidence rate of hip fractures in the elderly rises sharply in
winter. Such fractures, known as the "last fracture of life" due to
their high fatality and disability rates, must be highly vigilant by the whole
family!
Why are elderly people prone to hip fractures?
Professor Peng Hao stated that hip fractures in the elderly are not caused by a single factor, but rather the result of multiple underlying risks:
Osteoporosis is the core contributing factor: as people age, calcium and bone mass in the bones continue to be lost, leading to decreased bone toughness and increased brittleness. Even minor bumps or slips can trigger fractures.
Physical decline: The elderly experience a decrease in muscle mass, a decline in balance ability, and an unstable gait, making them prone to injuries from sudden situations such as tripping or slipping.
Underlying diseases and drug effects: Underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, or dizziness and fatigue caused by taking sedatives or antihypertensive drugs, can increase the risk of falls.
Hidden hazards in the home environment: Clutter on the floor, tripping over electrical wires, wet and slippery floors, dim lighting, etc., are all common household factors that can induce falls and fractures.
"The last fracture in life", where is the fatal risk?
The harm of hip fractures goes far beyond the pain of the fracture itself. What is even more terrifying is the complications caused by lying in bed after surgery, which is also the key to its high mortality rate.
Lung infection: Prolonged bed rest leads to the accumulation of phlegm, which cannot be expelled smoothly, making it prone to pneumonia. This is especially true for the elderly, whose immune system is weakened, making it difficult to control the infection once it occurs.
Pressure ulcers and thrombosis: Prolonged pressure on local skin can impede blood circulation, leading to the formation of pressure ulcers that are difficult to heal. Reduced mobility of the lower limbs increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, and the shedding of thrombi may trigger pulmonary embolism, posing a life-threatening hazard.
Nutritional imbalance and physical decline: During bed rest, appetite decreases, leading to insufficient nutrient intake, which further weakens the constitution, forming a vicious cycle of "bed rest → deteriorating constitution → exacerbated complications".
By doing these, we can scientifically prevent hip fractures
1. Strengthen bone health and build a solid "protective wall"
Regularly supplement calcium and vitamin D, eat more milk, soy products, dark green vegetables, fish and other ingredients, avoid excessive drinking of coffee and strong tea (which can affect calcium absorption). Under the guidance of a doctor, take anti-osteoporosis drugs, regularly test bone density, and detect and intervene early.
2. Optimize the home environment and remove any "stumbling blocks"
Clear away ground debris and scattered wires in a timely manner; lay anti-slip floor tiles and wipe them regularly; install handrails in bathrooms and place anti-slip mats; keep night lights in bedrooms to facilitate elderly people getting up at night; ensure that chairs and beds are designed to fit the elderly's body height, avoiding being too low or too high, which would increase the difficulty of getting up.
3. Adhere to moderate exercise to enhance "stability"
Based on the physical condition of the elderly, low-intensity exercises such as walking, Tai Chi, and simple dumbbell exercises can be chosen to enhance muscle strength, balance ability, and gait stability. Intense sports should be avoided to prevent accidental bumps and falls.
4. Manage underlying diseases and avoid "sudden risks"
Actively treat underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, take medication on time, and monitor the condition regularly to avoid dizziness and syncope caused by sudden onset of illness, thereby reducing the possibility of falls.
Sudden fracture, how to deal with it
Key reminder: Do not move the elderly without permission! If an elderly person falls and a hip fracture is suspected, improper movement may exacerbate the fracture displacement, damage surrounding blood vessels and nerves, and cause secondary injuries.
Correct approach: Immediately call emergency services, keep the elderly person in their original position, and place a soft object under their legs for support to prevent movement of the limbs. Wait for professional medical personnel to arrive and transport them to the hospital.
Professor Peng Hao stated that the current mainstream clinical viewpoint is to perform surgical treatment (such as hip replacement surgery) as early as possible, provided that the elderly patient's physical condition allows, to help them regain the ability to stand and walk as soon as possible, reduce bed rest time, and fundamentally lower the risk of complications. After surgery, rehabilitation training should be carried out gradually under the guidance of doctors and rehabilitation therapists. Meanwhile, good nursing care should be provided, including regular turning over, back patting, encouraging the elderly patient to drink plenty of water and expectorate, in order to fully prevent complications.
Some family members may wonder, "Is it okay if we don't have surgery?" If conservative treatment is chosen instead of surgery, the elderly patient will need to stay in bed for long-term recovery, which is highly prone to causing lung infections, urinary tract infections, and may also trigger various adverse cardiovascular events. These complications often progress rapidly, and in severe cases, they can directly threaten the life of the elderly patient.
Hainan Chengmei Hospital has successfully performed multiple hip replacements on elderly patients. Relying on the professional diagnosis and treatment capabilities of its specially-appointed expert team, it provides precise treatment and comprehensive rehabilitation guidance for elderly fracture patients, safeguarding the health of the elderly population.
Expert Introduction
Peng Hao
Chief Physician, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor
Specially appointed expert of Hainan Chengmei Hospital
Medical expertise
Professor Peng Hao has been deeply involved in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint diseases for 42 years, and possesses extensive clinical experience, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases. He specializes in complex artificial hip and knee replacements as well as joint revision surgeries. His clinical focus includes: the staged treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, surgical treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) arthritis, the staged treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint, a series of surgeries for hip fractures (acetabulum, femoral neck, femoral trochanter), and limb-sparing surgeries for tumors around the hip and knee joints.
Clinic Hours
Professor Peng Hao regularly provides outpatient services at Hainan Chengmei Hospital. For specific outpatient information, please follow the official account of Hainan Chengmei Hospital on WeChat.
Wang KuaiSheng, Chief Physician
Orthopedic Director, Professor
High-level talents in Hainan Province
Medical expertise
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic-related diseases such as hand injuries, congenital hand deformities, nerve injuries, vascular injuries, tendon injuries, wrist diseases, peripheral nerve diseases, osteoarthritis, and lumbar diseases; possesses extensive clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of trauma diseases such as limb trauma and limb fractures. Skilled in microsurgical techniques, capable of proficiently performing microsurgical-related orthopedic microsurgical repair surgeries such as nerve, vascular, and tendon injury repair, skin flap repair, and scar plastic surgery.
Clinic Hours
Tuesday all day (Hainan Cancer Hospital outpatient clinic)
Thursday morning and Friday all day (Hainan Chengmei Hospital outpatient clinic)