90% of the 2 million people who fall each year over 65 years. No fall in the elderly should be neglected: the fall may indicate an early loss of autonomy, lead to a "post fall syndrome" disabling, of complications from a fracture and its treatment ...
Second emergency trauma in the elderly: the femoral neck fracture
Most often it occurs during a fall from a height, the classic "foot in the carpet" or "the sidewalk too high." The pain is immediate, hip, more or less swollen (when taking anti-platelet type aspirin or anticoagulants may cause heavy bleeding or hemorrhaging). The leg in question is a typical appearance, shortened and rotated outward.
Immediate complications can occur, such as sciatic nerve injury, fracture or "open" where the bone is externalized, but remain exceptional.
The fall may have other consequences: other fractures in the same fall, head trauma, ..
Several treatments available
Treatment varies depending on the type of fracture and age of the person. Treatment is usually surgical:
- Surgical treatment by internal fixation: it consists of the establishment of a plate under anesthesia. The femoral neck is not replaced by a prosthesis, but strengthened by the support. The operation is simple yet sometimes delayed support.
- Surgical treatment with prosthesis: it consists of the establishment of a prosthesis that replaces the upper end of the femur.
If we replace the upper end of the femur and the acetabulum (part of the basin by the articulation with the femur), the prosthesis is called "total".
The advantages are a better functional outcome with early mobilization. However, this is major surgery, sometimes resulting in a lot of bleeding.
In all cases, the reduction and fixation of the fracture is followed by physical therapy rehabilitation.
Second emergency trauma in the elderly: the femoral neck fracture
Most often it occurs during a fall from a height, the classic "foot in the carpet" or "the sidewalk too high." The pain is immediate, hip, more or less swollen (when taking anti-platelet type aspirin or anticoagulants may cause heavy bleeding or hemorrhaging). The leg in question is a typical appearance, shortened and rotated outward.
Immediate complications can occur, such as sciatic nerve injury, fracture or "open" where the bone is externalized, but remain exceptional.
The fall may have other consequences: other fractures in the same fall, head trauma, ..
Several treatments available
Treatment varies depending on the type of fracture and age of the person. Treatment is usually surgical:
- Surgical treatment by internal fixation: it consists of the establishment of a plate under anesthesia. The femoral neck is not replaced by a prosthesis, but strengthened by the support. The operation is simple yet sometimes delayed support.
- Surgical treatment with prosthesis: it consists of the establishment of a prosthesis that replaces the upper end of the femur.
If we replace the upper end of the femur and the acetabulum (part of the basin by the articulation with the femur), the prosthesis is called "total".
The advantages are a better functional outcome with early mobilization. However, this is major surgery, sometimes resulting in a lot of bleeding.
In all cases, the reduction and fixation of the fracture is followed by physical therapy rehabilitation.
No comments:
Post a Comment