Hip Fracture: Overview and Treatment Essay

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The weakest and the sickest patients in the hospital are often older patients diagnosed with hip fractures. This is due to other related health issues such as chronic illness, and physical problems brought about by the surgery and stress. In the United Kingdom, the number of women and men age 50 at risk of sustaining hip fracture is 11% and 3%, respectively (Riemen and Hutchison 118). Hip fractures affect individuals’ life and may result in death, depression, fear of falling, disability, and being institutionalized. The number of deaths related to hip fractures is on the rise, with patients dying after months or years. Therefore, there is a need for a multidisciplinary approach and a safe environment for positive results. Older patients undergoing hip fracture treatment require a team strategy with outstanding communication between members.

The multidisciplinary team that cares for hip fractures consists of many elements. First, the accident and emergency team lays the foundation for patient treatment by providing rapid assessment to identify the degree of the fracture and if there are existing injuries and medical conditions. Secondly, nurse practitioners care for the patient through coordinating treatment, collaborating with other health workers, promoting rehabilitation, discharge, and following up on patients’ health. A physiotherapy assessment is carried out to help strengthen the patient’s range of movement through training exercises. Occupational therapists and geriatricians also work closely with patients to educate them about the safety of movement, washing, and self-care. Additionally, hip fracture patients work with a dietician to help minimize preoperative fasting times and provide them with appetizing meal options.

The patient plays a significant role in the multidisciplinary approach; therefore, they must make an informed decision about their treatment and care. Besides, caregivers such as relatives are part of the team as well; they help the patient cope with the condition by visiting and bringing food to them. The early supported discharge team provides successful transition and progression into the patient’s journey (Riemen and Hutchison 118). The general practitioner team helps the patients by providing comfort during their healing journey and being with them after their discharge. Patient-centered multidisciplinary care is essential for patient recovery and provides the best results for on effectiveness of healthcare.

Hip fractures are proximal femur fractures and are often experienced by the elderly population after a fall. The risk of hip fracture in older people is high due to weakening of bones, poor vision, and balance problems. Hip fracture has an increased rate of morbidity and mortality. The underpinning cause of hip fracture in most people is the existing multiple risk factors and bone density. Most cases of hip fracture can be diagnosed from individuals’ history. Clinicians should examine potential justifications for the fall, such as fainting, cerebrovascular accident, or heart attack. Because most patients are the elderly with a complex health background, a thorough medical history is crucial to help identify the cause of the injury (Emmerson et al.). A complete social history that offers a diagnosis of the patient’s ability to move and their home conditions can be of significant help. It most definitely leads to proper checkups and discharges planning.

The physical diagnosis will indicate pain, inability to move, and potentiality of a deformed limb. Additional examination often shows pain, eversion in the pelvic girdle, trochanter, axial loading of the hip, and ‘pin-rolling’ of the leg. Fractures can be recognized by examining the injury through X-rays. Although an X-ray may fail to show a fracture on most occasions, especially in older people, an MRI may be used as an alternative. Initial management of hip fracture begins in the emergency department and moves towards treatment and care. Other diseases and injuries that cause hip fracture must be examined as a differential diagnosis (Emmerson et al.). This helps to identify the cause of the fracture and provides the proper medication and treatment. Treatment of hip fractures always involves surgery, rehabilitation, and medicine.

Works Cited

Emmerson, Benjamin R., Matthew Varacallo, and Dominic Inman. “Hip Fracture Overview.” StatPearls [Internet], 2022. Web.

Riemen, Anna H. K., and James D. Hutchison. “The Multidisciplinary Management of Hip Fractures in Older Patients.” Orthopedics and Trauma, vol. 30, no. 2, 2016, pp. 117–222.

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