Hip Fractures- Why They Are Serious and How to Avoid Them

Hip fractures are serious enough on their own, but they can cause severe complications, especially in the elderly. This is the group most at risk for experiencing hip fractures, as older people lose bone density as they age. Women are much more likely to fracture their hips than men, because women lose bone density at a higher rate than males. The surgery required to repair a hip fracture is not the problem, it is the time needed to recover that puts the elderly at risk of developing other medical conditions that can be life-threatening.

Falls and their resulting trauma are the leading reason for hip fractures in individuals over sixty-five years old, with sports injuries and car accidents the leading cause in younger people. As you age, not only does your bone density lessen, making you susceptible to hip fractures, but the chances of falling increase as your vision, reaction time, and balance begins to deteriorate. Inactive seniors have poor muscle tone, also making it possible to have a hip fracture. Osteoporosis robs older bones of calcium and various other minerals, exposing them to a higher risk of fractures. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's are conditions that affect older citizens, and these come with the very real possibility of falling. Poor nutrition can also be responsible for weakened bones, even in your early years. Bulimia and anorexia put young people with these diseases in the upper level of hip fracture candidates. Smoking and drinking also inhibit proper bone formation, and some medications can cause bone loss quicker than normal.