Care of the Elderly with a Fracture
Elderly patients often suffer a “fragility” fracture as the bone can be easily broken. This can often be a result of osteoporosis. It is crucially important to prevent falls in elderly people. Making even small changes may make a big difference in this person’s life…
A fall can often affect an older person’s confidence and mobility. After an injury, an older person’s bone can take a little longer to heal, the joint near the fracture stiffens more easily and the skin can suffer abrasions as a result of the cast.
Common fractures associated with osteoporosis are:
Associated comorbidities such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, chest problems and memory problems can further complicate treatment. For this reason, a multidisciplinary approach involving the medical physicians, nursing staff or community care, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and family, helps the orthopaedic team in appropriate fracture management.
Here is a useful website for Home care packages
Click here for information on Hip Fractures
www.assistireland.ie is a great website run by the citizens information board. It contains information on assistive technology and a directory of products available from suppliers for people with disabilities and older people.
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence have great advice- particularly for elderly patients, carers and healthcare providers.
The FRAX tool is an excellent questionnaire for fragility fracture risk assessment.