Neck of Femur fractures:
One of the more common injuries seen passing through the doors of the ER is that of a "Neck Of Femur" fracture. One such admission took place recently where in an elderly gentleman lost his footing in the kitchen, sustained a fall and a resulting Neck of Femur fracture occurred. The patient was immediately seen to by the ER doctor on call and after stabilized, given analgesia, and referred to an orthopedic surgeon for further care. |
An article from the Journal of American Orthopedic Surgery reports that more than 250,000 hip fractures occur in the United States each year; however with an aging population, the annual number of hip (neck of femur) fractures is expected to double by the year 2050. Osteoporosis has been identified as the largest contributing factor to to fractures of this nature.
This type of injury is usually seen in 2 groups of patients:
There are a number of factors predisposing elderly individuals to fractures, including:
These fractures may be classified by means of the Garden Classification system as follows:
This type of injury is usually seen in 2 groups of patients:
- Elderly individuals with osteoporosis (most common).
- Young, active individuals with unaccustomed strenuous activity or changes in activity, such as runners or endurance athletes (following severe trauma).
There are a number of factors predisposing elderly individuals to fractures, including:
- Malnutrition
- Decreased physical activity
- Impaired vision
- Neurological disease
- Poor balance
- Muscle atrophy
These fractures may be classified by means of the Garden Classification system as follows:
The treatment for the vast majority of these cases is surgical, with the need to fix the joint in place by means of screws as represented with the x-ray on the right - depending on the extent of the fracture. Patients (as in the case of our patient) often have a short hospital stay and are back to an impressive degree of mobility shortly after discharge.
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Fall prevention:
- Participate in regular physical activity (to improve balance and coordination)
- Make your home safer (remove trip hazards, install handles where appropriate)
- Review medication (some medications can cause dizziness and sleepiness)
- Have your vision checked at least once a year (poor vision can result in a fall)
An Injury and Prevention Awareness Project brought to you by Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital Trauma & Emergency Centre