Hip Fracture Research Paper
Hip Fractures
Candice Murphy
BIO120 Anatomy and Physiology Essentials
Phase 2 Individual Project
19 April 2015
Causes of Hip Fractures
The most common causes of hip fractures are:
•
Falls to a hard surface from a great height.
•
Blunt trauma to the hip, such as from a car crash.
•
Diseases such as osteoporosis, a condition that causes the loss of bone tissue.
•
Obesity (too much weight may place great pressure on the hip bones.
(Macon and Leonard, 2012)
Common Locations of Fractures
• Femoral neck fracture.
•
“A femoral neck fracture occurs one to two inches from the hip joint. These fractures are common among older adults and can be related to osteoporosis. This type of fracture may cause a complication because the break …show more content…
•
About 70 percent of hip fractures occur in women. Women lose bone density at a faster rate than men do, in part because the drop in estrogen levels that occurs with menopause accelerates bone loss.
However, men also can develop dangerously low levels of bone density.
• Chronic medical conditions.
•
Endocrine disorders, such as an overactive thyroid, can lead to fragile bones. Intestinal disorders, which may reduce your absorption of vitamin D and calcium, also can lead to weakened bone and hip fracture. Cognitive impairment also increases the risk of falling.
• Certain medications.
•
Cortisone medications, such as prednisone, can weaken bone if you take them long term. Certain drugs or certain combinations of medications can make you dizzy and more prone to falling.
( Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015)
• Nutritional problems. …show more content…
Exercise also increases your overall strength, making you less likely to fall. Balance training is also important to reducing your risk of falls, since balance tends to deteriorate with age.
• Avoid smoking or excessive drinking.
•
Tobacco and alcohol use can reduce bone density. Drinking too much alcohol also can impair your balance and make you more likely to fall.
(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015)
Prevention Cont.
• Assess your home for hazards.
• Remove throw rugs, keep electrical cords against the wall, and clear excess furniture and anything else that could trip you. Make sure every room and passageway is well-lit.
• Check your eyes.
• Have an eye exam every other year, or more often if you have diabetes or an eye disease.
• Watch your medications.
• Feeling weak and dizzy, which are possible side effects of many medications, can increase your risk of falling. Talk to your doctor about side effects caused by your medications.
• Stand up slowly.
• Getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop and make you feel wobbly .
• Use a walking stick or walker.
• If you don 't feel steady when you walk, ask your doctor or occupational therapist whether
Candice Murphy
BIO120 Anatomy and Physiology Essentials
Phase 2 Individual Project
19 April 2015
Causes of Hip Fractures
The most common causes of hip fractures are:
•
Falls to a hard surface from a great height.
•
Blunt trauma to the hip, such as from a car crash.
•
Diseases such as osteoporosis, a condition that causes the loss of bone tissue.
•
Obesity (too much weight may place great pressure on the hip bones.
(Macon and Leonard, 2012)
Common Locations of Fractures
• Femoral neck fracture.
•
“A femoral neck fracture occurs one to two inches from the hip joint. These fractures are common among older adults and can be related to osteoporosis. This type of fracture may cause a complication because the break …show more content…
•
About 70 percent of hip fractures occur in women. Women lose bone density at a faster rate than men do, in part because the drop in estrogen levels that occurs with menopause accelerates bone loss.
However, men also can develop dangerously low levels of bone density.
• Chronic medical conditions.
•
Endocrine disorders, such as an overactive thyroid, can lead to fragile bones. Intestinal disorders, which may reduce your absorption of vitamin D and calcium, also can lead to weakened bone and hip fracture. Cognitive impairment also increases the risk of falling.
• Certain medications.
•
Cortisone medications, such as prednisone, can weaken bone if you take them long term. Certain drugs or certain combinations of medications can make you dizzy and more prone to falling.
( Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015)
• Nutritional problems. …show more content…
Exercise also increases your overall strength, making you less likely to fall. Balance training is also important to reducing your risk of falls, since balance tends to deteriorate with age.
• Avoid smoking or excessive drinking.
•
Tobacco and alcohol use can reduce bone density. Drinking too much alcohol also can impair your balance and make you more likely to fall.
(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015)
Prevention Cont.
• Assess your home for hazards.
• Remove throw rugs, keep electrical cords against the wall, and clear excess furniture and anything else that could trip you. Make sure every room and passageway is well-lit.
• Check your eyes.
• Have an eye exam every other year, or more often if you have diabetes or an eye disease.
• Watch your medications.
• Feeling weak and dizzy, which are possible side effects of many medications, can increase your risk of falling. Talk to your doctor about side effects caused by your medications.
• Stand up slowly.
• Getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop and make you feel wobbly .
• Use a walking stick or walker.
• If you don 't feel steady when you walk, ask your doctor or occupational therapist whether