Often asked: Why Do Elderly Get Communited Fracture?
Fracture Risk Factors in Older Adults. Due to the physiologic changes of aging as well as common comorbidities, older adults are at high risk for fractures. Difficulties with gait, vision, and proprioception (due to neuropathy or medications) contribute to falls.
What is the most common cause of a comminuted fracture?
A comminuted fracture occurs when a bone is broken into several parts. It is usually the result of a high-impact injury to the bone such as a fall, accident, or other trauma. People with osteoporosis may be more susceptible to this type of fracture because their bones are so fragile.
What causes a comminuted bone fracture?
Comminuted fracture is characterized by the breaking of a bone into several small pieces and is the result of high velocity injuries, such as car accidents, falls from a height, or high-energy injuries with tissue loss caused by fragments from explosive devices on the battlefields.
Why are older people more prone to fractures?
The risk of fracture due to poor bones increases with age, and this is further enhanced by osteoporosis. Genetics also plays a role in an individual’s risk of fracture. Those of us with parents who had a hip fracture have an increased risk of fracture.
What does comminuted fracture mean in medical terms?
A comminuted (kah-muh-NOOT-ed) fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone is broken into more than two pieces.
What happens when you get a comminuted fracture?
Comminuted fracture – The bone is broken into pieces, which may require surgery for complete healing. Greenstick fracture – The bone cracks but doesn’t break all the way through — like what happens when you try to break a green stick of wood.
Is a comminuted fracture considered traumatic?
A comminuted fracture is a break or splinter of the bone into more than two fragments. Since considerable force and energy is required to fragment bone, fractures of this degree occur after high-impact trauma such as in vehicular accidents.
How long does it take for a comminuted fracture to heal?
The length of time it takes for your fracture to heal depends on the severity of the break and the area of the body affected. Recovery time can vary from a couple of weeks to several months.
What does comminuted mean medically?
Medical Definition of comminuted: being a fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed into numerous pieces a comminuted elbow fracture.
What is the most common fracture in the elderly?
The most common fractures in older adults are vertebral fracture from compression or trauma, followed by hip and distal radius fractures.
How can the elderly prevent fractures?
Steps to prevent fragile bones
- Consume adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D (see “Recommended Calcium and Vitamin D Intake” chart).
- Exercise several times a week.
- Ask your doctor about a bone mineral density test.
- Ask about medications to slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk.
How do you fix a comminuted fracture?
You might need to have surgery if you have a comminuted fracture. This will help put your broken bones back into place. Sometimes your doctor will use metal rods or pins, called internal or external fixation, to hold your bone fragments together while they heal. These might go inside or outside of your body.
What’s the worst bone to break?
Here are 10 of the worst bone fractures you could get.
- Skull.
- Wrist.
- Hip.
- Rib.
- Ankle.
- Pelvis. A fracture in the pelvis can be life-threatening, just like hip fractures.
- Tailbone. A tailbone fracture can make life difficult, and there is no way to hold the fractured tailbone in place.
- Elbow. A broken elbow is very painful.
How is a comminuted fracture diagnosed?
A comminuted fracture is usually diagnosed through an x-ray, which can help the doctor locate the specific location of the breaks. The x-ray will also allow the doctor to examine the severity of the injury and make the proper plans for treatment.