In daily life, fractures are quite common, and middle-aged and elderly people are at high risk of fractures. Wrist, hip, and spine are common fracture sites. But no matter which part of the body fractures, it should be treated promptly at the hospital. If left untreated, not only will it not heal on its own, but it will also worsen, and the consequences will be unimaginable. For fractures, most people are not very familiar with them. Below, we will talk about how middle-aged and elderly people can prevent and treat fractures.
1、 What are the factors causing fractures in middle-aged and elderly people?
If you want to know how to prevent and treat fractures in middle-aged and elderly people, you should know the factors that make middle-aged and elderly people prone to fractures. Middle aged and elderly people are more prone to fractures compared to young people, mainly due to factors such as osteoporosis, decreased mobility, and pathological fractures caused by other diseases. Due to bone loss and increased bone fragility in the elderly, their load-bearing capacity also decreases. In addition, elderly people have slow metabolism and reduced calcium absorption capacity, making them more prone to osteoporosis. Meanwhile, elderly people often experience a decline in their physical function, making them more susceptible to accidents such as falls and collisions. In addition, elderly people have a higher risk of developing tumors compared to young people. In the late stage of tumors, if bone metastasis occurs, it often leads to bone destruction at the site of metastasis. Mild external violence or even no obvious violence can easily cause fractures at the site of metastasis.
2、 How can middle-aged and elderly people prevent fractures?
Firstly, in daily life, it is necessary to introduce more knowledge about preventing fractures to middle-aged and elderly people, so that they can understand the impact of fractures and pay attention to preventing their occurrence. Middle aged and elderly people should also pay attention to rest, maintain a regular schedule, and have sufficient energy. Go to bed early and wake up early, don't stay up late. It is important to maintain good lifestyle habits, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, and pay attention to supplementing calcium supplements and eating more nutritious foods in daily diet. In addition, it is also necessary to persist in physical exercise and engage in more outdoor activities to enhance physical fitness. Due to the inconvenience of exercise, middle-aged and elderly people can engage in some more soothing exercises, such as walking, practicing Tai Chi, etc. This can enhance joint flexibility, thereby reducing falls and helping prevent fractures. In special environments, it is important to be extra cautious, such as in icy areas during winter, or when engaging in activities in restrooms, bathhouses, and other places.
3、 How to treat fractures in middle-aged and elderly people?
Most fractures in elderly people are caused by trauma or osteoporosis, and conservative treatment or surgical treatment should be considered based on factors such as displacement or the presence of concomitant injuries. If it is due to osteoporosis, corresponding treatment should be carried out for osteoporosis, such as drug therapy and increasing the activity of the elderly. If it is due to local lesions, corresponding treatment should be given to the affected area. In addition, it is important to treat fractures as soon as possible and encourage patients to get out of bed and move around early to avoid pressure injuries and lower limb venous thrombosis. If the fracture site is relatively good in elderly patients with fractures, manual reduction, plaster external fixation, or splint external fixation can be used to stabilize the fracture site and avoid the impact of surgery on the overall condition of elderly patients. If elderly patients have severe fractures and conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment should usually be taken quickly. With the advancement of various technologies, surgical treatment for elderly fractures has become very mature and there is no need to worry too much.