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The low temperature continues in the north and the snow does not melt. If you are not careful when traveling, you may fall, especially the elderly, who are prone to fractures after falling. "In recent days, there has been an increase in the number of middle-aged and elderly patients coming to outpatient clinics for fractures after falling, and many patients have hip fractures." Wang Fengxian, deputy chief physician of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, said that hip fractures include two types , one type is intertrochanteric fracture, and the other type is femoral neck fracture. There are also differences between the two. The blood supply between the trochanters is rich. The fracture here can heal in the future. If it is not treated in time, malunion may occur. Femoral neck fractures are divided into subcapital type, mid-cervical type and basal type. Subcapital type The risk of femoral head necrosis is very high.
Hip fractures are more common in the elderly, especially in elderly women. Data show that after hip fracture in the elderly, the mortality rate within one year is 20%-50%. Because of its high disability and mortality rate, it is called the "last fracture in life."
"If a hip fracture is not treated in time, the patient will be forced to stay in bed. The elderly have many internal medical diseases themselves, and complications are prone to occur after being bedridden, such as accumulative pneumonia, urinary system infection, deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, and bedsores. etc. During long-term bed rest, these complications can easily take away the lives of the elderly." Wang Fengxian explained.
Wang Fengxian believes that to prevent "the last fracture in life", we should treat both the symptoms and the root causes.
"standard" refers to reducing the fall factor. Taking slippery roads in snow as an example, it is not recommended for the elderly to go out unless necessary after snowing. If you must go out, first pay attention to "stability", wear non-slip shoes, walk steadily, take small steps, and do not put your hands in your pockets; secondly, pay attention to " "Slowly" can not only avoid falling down, but also avoid being hit by other people or motor vehicles; finally, pay attention to "look", pay attention to the road conditions when walking, observe whether there is snow on the ground, whether there are any motor vehicles passing by, etc. Don't talk or look at your phone while walking.
"Ben" refers to prevention from the source. The elderly are prone to hip fractures essentially due to osteoporosis. To prevent and treat osteoporosis, in addition to daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D, some anti-osteoporosis drugs should be combined; a reasonable diet should include more calcium-containing, low-salt and high-protein foods, such as milk, green leafy vegetables, nuts, etc. ; Carry out appropriate physical exercise to increase the body's sensitivity; spend more time in the sun to promote calcium absorption.
Wang Fengxian pointed out that osteoporotic fractures include many parts, such as compression fractures of the spine. Patients may not feel so much pain, but the pain of hip fractures is very strong, and they basically lose the ability to stand and walk, and have external symptoms of the entire lower limbs. Rotation deformity. "The treatment of hip fractures in the elderly is not only a medical problem, but also a challenge to families and society. Whether they can receive surgical treatment in the short term and whether they can receive appropriate rehabilitation training after surgery will determine the future recovery of fractures in the elderly. These two very important links may even affect the patient’s life expectancy,” said Wang Fengxian.
Although various relevant guidelines and consensus clearly state that the earlier a hip fracture is operated on, the better the effect. Whether the operation can be performed requires the understanding of the patient and family members. The elderly have underlying diseases, and surgery is prone to various risks. Some elderly people are in poor physical condition and can only choose conservative treatment. "In the face of hip fracture, patients, family members, and doctors should think in one place, work hard in one direction, understand each other, be willing to share risks, and work together to achieve good treatment results." Wang Fengxian said.
Beijing News reporter Zhang Zhaohui
proofreader Zhai Yongjun
