Article by: Dr Zoe Arugay
When eldery women are complaining of pain and has a history of fall, one of the first considerations we have at the emergency room setting is the possibility that they have hip fractures.
Such is the case of Zsa Zsa Gabor who was hospitalized early Sunday due to a broken hip she sustained after falling off from her bed. The 93-year-old Hungarian born actress is now possibly facing surgery.A vast majority of hip fractures that occur are fragility fractures from a fall or minor trauma in someone with osteoporotic bones, like elderly women. On the other hand, those with normal bone may have hip fractures as a result of high-energy trauma such as in vehicular accidents. Falls are often uncommon in young patients because they have better balance and strength.
Hip fractures in elderly patients who sustained a low-energy fall would complain of pain and is unable to bear weight. On physical exam, the affected extremity is often shortened and externally rotated.
Most hip fractures are treated with orthopedic surgery. Pain is significant, rendering the patient to become immobile. However, since immobility may be a risk for complications post-op, these patients are encouraged to start early mobilization with physical therapy. In cases wherein surgery is risky or if the patient refuses it, then the main emphasis is pain control. Skeletal traction may be even be considered for long term treatment.
The chances of hip fractures in elderly may be minimized. For instance:
Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem causing osteoporosis, so Vitamin D and calcium supplements have been shown to reduce hip fractures by 43%, according to a study by Chapuy et.al. in 1992.
Homocysteine was found to be linked to development of heart disease, stroke and bone fractures. In a study conducted by Sato et. al. in 2005, Vitamin B was said to reduce the amount of homocysteine in our system, thus, reducing the amount of hip fractures by 80% after 2 years.
Other conditions that may cause weakness in bones are metabolic bone diseases such as Paget's disease; metastatic cancer deposits in the proximal femur because they may weaken the bone and cause a pathological hip fracture; and rarely, bone infections and benign or malignant primary bone tumors.
In addition, fall prevention is a cause of concern. Maybe Ms. Gabor would consider hip protectors as well next time?
Photo Gallery:
 |
| Click the image to view more photos of Zsa Zsa Gabor Powered by: Picapp |
