Characteristics and circumstances of falls in hip fractures

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease characterized by a loss of bone mass and deterioration of bone microstructure that lead to a greater risk of fragility fractures. Fall is generally the main cause of fractures. Hip fractures are the most common ones and are usually correlated to a greater morbidity and mortality. The aim of our observational study was to evaluate, among patients with hip fragility fracture, characteristics and circumstances of falls. We conducted a national epidemiological survey, involving 80 physiatrists. They were asked to collect data on patients over 55 years of age who underwent a fragility fracture in the 12 months prior to recruitment. For each patient they had to fill a form including questions on different aspects of patients' medical history: age, gender, reason for the visit, type of fracture, number of falls in the last year and the year before the fall. Among 419 patients who sustained hip fracture, 70 had experienced a fall, while 119 were incurred in more falls in the 12 months before the fracture. In most people of our cohort, hip fracture was caused by a fall that occurred on the side during the morning.

Management of Pertrochanteric Fractures in Elderly High-Risk Patients with an External Fixation

“…Given the high mortality and morbidity rates of pertrochantric fractures [10,24] , especially in older people, there are always concerns about surgical treatment options. Furthermore, osteoporosis causes mechanical complications such as shortening, collapse, and pin penetration increasing the concerns about the stability of fixation methods.…”

Long‐term effects of exercise and amino acid supplementation on muscle mass, physical function and falls in community‐dwelling elderly Japanese sarcopenic women: A 4‐year follow‐up study

“…found that there was a higher prevalence of sarcopenia and more reduced leg muscle mass in elderly with hip fracture than those who did not have hip fractures . As fractures, particularly hip fractures, occur mainly as a result of falls, the prevention of falls is very important in sarcopenic elderly people . However, there are limited studies that have focused on fall prevention in elderly people with sarcopenia.…”

Evaluation of External Fixation Results in High-risk Older Patients with Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures

“…Given the high mortality and morbidity rates of these fractures [11,12], especially in older people, there are concerns about surgical treatment options. Furthermore, osteoporosis causes mechanical complications such as shortening, collapse, and pin penetration, increasing the concerns about the stability of fixation methods.…”