We have often heard that older people who experience a broken hip bone often do not live long after. Statistics show that 1 out of 5 elderly people who suffer a fall resulting in a broken hip bone will die within 1 year after the breakage.
Have you ever wondered why a broken hip bone is so severe and dangerous?
The answer to your question is that a fractured or broken hip causes patients to develop many complications. Statistics show that 7-27% of patients die within 3 months after suffering a broken hip bone due to complications following improper treatment.
How come there are so many complications, and how dangerous are they?
Because the hip bone is one of the most important bones involved in movement, when the hip bone becomes broken, fractured or dislocated, it can cause the elderly patient to be unable to move and assist him or herself. Sitting up, standing and moving the legs can lead to immense pain. As a result there can be complications such as the ones described below.
Because the patient often has to lie down or sit in the same position for a long period of time, pressure sores can develop around the buttocks and hip.
Pain from attempting to defecate or urinate also causes the patient to avoid these activities, thereby leading to urinary tract infection or bowel dysfunction or constipation. The patient’s inability to get up and the need to urinate while lying down can also cause urinary tract infection.
If the patient cannot sit up, the lungs do not get to expand. As a result, there can be fluid build-up in the lungs or pneumonia can develop.
If an elderly person has a chronic disease like diabetes or heart disease, there is a chance that the condition of their disease will worsen.
All of these things are reasons why a broken or fractured hip in elderly people does not only stop with the bones. Rather, they can lead to dangerous and potentially-life threatening conditions. Nevertheless, if a hip is broken or fractured and fast treatment is sought to prevent complications from occurring, then a broken hip will not be scary.
