A Broken Hip in Older Adults Is a Medical Emergency. Here’s Why

A broken hip when you are older is a medical emergency – not because of the broken bone, but because of the potential impact on your overall health.

Broken hips are one of the more common injuries seen in older people. Without surgical treatment, there is a significant increase in mortality rates during the first 30 days after the injury. The increased risk of death continues for a up a year after the break.

Why Is Prompt Surgery Necessary for a Broken Hip?

Surgery for a broken hip should occur within the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury. Without this prompt care, you are at risk of developing numerous complications. Spending too much time in bed can lead to bed sores, blood clots and pneumonia. It will also reduce your chances of a successful long-term recovery from the injury.

Surgery is almost always the first recommendation for a broken hip. Exceptions include patients who were already bed-bound before breaking their hip or whose general health will not stand up the rigors of surgery.

What Are the Surgical Options for Hip Repair?

• Total hip replacement: Both the upper portion of your femur and the pelvic socket it fits in are replaced with prosthetic parts.
• Partial hip replacement: Only the top of the femur is replaced with a prosthetic part.
• Internal reinforcement: Some fractured bones may be reinforced with plates or screws to help them heal properly.

What To Expect During Hip Surgery Recovery and Rehab

The rehab will start almost immediately after the surgery, while you are still in the hospital. A physical therapist will have you up and moving the same day as the surgery, if not the following morning. It can takes six months to a year of rehab and recovery to regain lost strength and endurance.

There are two primary goals of hip surgery: The first is to avoid life-threatening complications. The second is to restore mobility.

This usually starts with the baseline of where you were before the injury. Maybe you had no mobility issues or were walking with the help of a cane or walker. The goal is to get you back to that. Even with surgery, this won’t happen overnight.

Physical therapy often varies from person to person. But you can expect a wide range of exercises. Treatment may involve a walking assistance device that adds weight over time to your leg until you are moving normally.

Broken hips are often the result of falls, which represent one of the biggest dangers to adults over the age of 65. In fact, older adults are five times more likely to be hospitalized by a fall.

How Can Older Adults Prevent Falls and Broken Hips?

• Remove home hazards. Look around your home and make sure you have clear pathways that are free of tripping hazards.
• Install safety devices. Add non-slip mats in the bathroom and grab bars in high-risk areas.
• Improve lighting. Put nightlights in dark areas and keep a lamp within reach of your bed. That extra light can make a big difference at night.
• Boost your balance. Try balance exercises and classes such as yoga or tai chi.
• Get your eyes checked. Good eyesight is essential for maintaining balance.
• Use mobility aids. If you have balance issues, don’t shy away from a cane or walker.
• Talk to your doctor. Your primary care doctor can be a great resource to help evaluate your risk and develop a plan.

This content is not AI generated.