Cartagena
The hip is one of the most important joints in the human body, it allows the trunk to join with the lower extremities, allowing walking. The Falls in older adults (65 years and older) are frequent and, at that age, can be a high risk factor for suffering fractures since these patients, for the most part, have poor bone quality, which predisposes them to requiring a surgical interventionas is the hip surgery.
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Fractures in these patients can lead to prolonged bed rest, with decreased functionality and deterioration of their health conditionFor this reason, in addition to appropriate pharmacological treatment to improve bone quality, certain precautions are important to avoid falls.
The doctor Luis Darío Bernal, specialist in Orthopedics, Traumatology – Hip and Knee Surgery at the Serena del Mar Hospital provides the following recommendations:
1- Keep away objects that may interfere with the passage such as low tables, non-slip rugs, rugs and children’s toys on the floor.
2- Use grab bars in bathrooms and stairs.
3- Use non-slip mats in humid areas.
4- Wear appropriate footwear that meets the following: non-slip sole, low heel and that covers the foot completely.
5- Apply postural hygiene, mainly when standing up or getting out of bed, taking a few seconds to be sure of your stability.
6- Use external aids such as canes or walkers, in case you feel afraid of falling or instability.
7- Maintain a good routine daily exercises to maintain muscle tone, coordination and balance.
In the event that an elderly person has a fall, the first thing to do is to assess the situation. Check the patient’s state of consciousness, assess their breathing, check if they have vomited or bled, have pain and/or obvious limb deformities.
If this is the case, it is important that the patient be taken immediately to a center with experience in the management of Orthogeriatric protocolsin order to improve your outcome and receive a multidisciplinary care (Geriatrics, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Nutrition and Anesthesiology).
If after medical attentiona hip fracture is diagnosed and surgery is determined, it is important to take the necessary care and follow the recommendations assigned by your specialist.
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The main objectives of taking an older adult to hip surgery after a fracture are: to reduce pain, promote March prompt and try to recover functionality prior to the traumatic event.
