Information on Hip Fracture - Including Avoidance

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http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?

thread_id=25 & topcategory=Hip

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" How to prevent broken hips

Orthopaedic surgeons-experts in the care and treatment of patients

with fractured hips-are concerned about the epidemic of hip fractures

and the impact these severe injuries has on patients, their families,

and on society. Orthopaedists know that prevention of hip fractures

is far better, and far less costly, than treatment after the bone is

broken. Here's what you can do:

Be sure your diet contains the necessary calcium and vitamin D during

childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The typical American diet

provides about 300 milligrams (mg.) of calcium a day from non-milk

sources. Each dairy product serving provides an additional 300 mg.

A recommendation by the National Research Council for a daily dietary

intake of 800 mg. of calcium is thought to be too low. The National

Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends the following daily calcium

intake:

11 - 24 years: 1,200 mg.

Pregnant or nursing women under age 19: 2,000 mg.

Pregnant or nursing women 19 or older: 1,400 mg.

Before menopause: 1,000 mg.

Menopausal, postmenopausal women not taking estrogen: 1,500 mg.

Menopausal, postmenopausal women taking estrogen: 1,000 mg.

Middle-aged men: 1,000 mg.

Vitamin D plays a major role in calcium absorption and its

incorporation in bone. The Food and Drug Administration's USRDA

(Recommended Daily Allowance) for vitamin D is 400 international

units (iu). One glass of milk contains 100 iu. Your doctor may

recommend an increase in your intake of vitamin D after menopause.

Because elderly people may consume less vitamin D and absorb calcium

poorly, they should ask their doctor about increasing their daily

intake of vitamin D.

Exercise to minimize bone loss. You should engage in weight-bearing

exercises, such as walking (considered one of the best methods of

maintaining bone strength), jogging, hiking, climbing stairs,

dancing, aquatic exercises, treadmill exercises, and weight training.

Consult your doctor before beginning any vigorous exercise program.

Your doctor can evaluate your physical condition and help you decide

which activity suits you best.

The National Institute of Aging recommends you begin exercising

slowly, especially if you have been inactive. Start with short

periods of about 5 to 10 minutes twice a week and build up slowly,

adding a few minutes each week. You can build up to exercise periods

of 15 to 30 minutes, three or four times a week.

Proper diagnosis and early treatment can help reduce the risks of

osteoporosis. Consult your medical doctor because a treatment must be

prescribed individually.

Treatment plans should be initiated as early as possible because once

bone is lost it is difficult to replace.

Ask your physician about medication to prevent menopausal bone loss

such as estrogen replacement therapy, calcitonin or other medications

currently under development.

Eliminate smoking and excessive alcohol use which cause bone loss and

increase your risk for a fracture.

Consult with your physician if you require medications regularly that

can alter your balance or cause dizziness. Certain drugs, such as

benzodiazepines, that are common treatments for anxiety or insomnia,

may cause dizziness and falls.

Make your home safe

Most hip fractures occur as a result of a fall and most falls and

injuries occur in the home. Many are preventable by recognizing the

dangers and taking the necessary steps to minimize the risks of

preventable falls from known home hazards. Here are some safety tips:

Stairways

Provide enough light to see clearly each step and the top and bottom

landings

Repair loose stairway rugs or boards immediately

Do not leave objects on the stairs

Do not use patterned or dark carpeting on stairs

Install full-length handrails on both sides of the stairway

Bathrooms

Place a slip-resistant rug next to the bathtub for safe exit and

entry

Place nonskid textured adhesive strips on the bathtub and shower

floor

Install grab bars on the walls around the bathtub

Bedrooms

Keep the floor clear of clutter

Place a lamp and flashlight near your bed

Install a night-light along the route between the bedroom and the

bathroom

Living areas

Arrange furniture to provide a clear pathway between rooms

Remove low-rise tables, magazine racks, footrests, and plants from

pathways

Keep electrical and telephone cords out of pathways

Secure loose area rugs and runners with double-faced tape, tacks, or

slip-resistant backing

Do not stand on unsteady stools, chairs, ladders, etc.

Kitchen

Clean up spills, dropped food, etc., from floors immediately

Use nonskid floor wax

Use step stools with an attached handrail

More research on fracture prevention is needed

Hip fractures have a major impact on society, however, only a very

small portion of medical research funds are devoted to improving our

ability to prevent hip fractures. More research must be done by

governmnet agencies, private foundations, and orthopaedic scientists

to shed new light on bone metabolism, treatment programs to prevent

bone loss, and injury programs to prevent falls and fractures.

Support for this research through increased private and public

funding will be necessary to curb the coming epidemic of hip

fractures in the decades ahead. For more information contact the

Orthopaedic Research Education Foundation, 6300 N. River Rd.

Rosemont, IL 60018 (847) 698-9980.

Your orthopaedist is a medical doctor with extensive training in the

diagnosis and nonsurgical and surgical treatment of the

musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons,

muscles, and nerves.

This brochure has been prepared by the American Academy of

Orthopaedic Surgeons and is intended to contain current information

on the subject from recognized authorities. However, it does not

represent official policy of the Academy and its text should not be

construed as excluding other acceptable viewpoints.

Statistics updated to 1998 figures "

Rodney.