KHIRTHANA A/P KRISHNAN

SHAMINI A/P SUBRAMANIAM

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

 Geriatic fractures or fractures in elderly people are
special category of fractures in adults.
 With age the bones lose their mineral content and
become weak ,called osteoporosis.
 Old people more prone to injuries with minimal
trauma.
 A trauma which would be tolerated easily in young
adults would result in fracture in elderly.
 Sometimes can caused by routine movement of getting
up or bending down.
 Fracture neck of femur.
 Fracture of intertrochanteric region of femur.
 Fracture of distal end of radius
 Oesteoporotic compression fractures of the spine
(back)
 Fractures of upper end of humerus
 There are 3 prevention of fractures in elderly:
I. Fall prevention
II. Prevention and treatment of bone fracture
III. Use of protectors
There are 2 prevention:
 Preventing a fall in elderly needs to target factors that
lead to fall.
 The factors can be categorized as either
 Intrinsic – related to such internal factors as the
patient’s medical or physical condition.
 Extrinsic – related to external causes, such as
environmental hazards or weather condition
 Two things are responsible for intrinsic causes:
>Disease processes
>Aging
 It is important to note that one or more of several affected body
system or condition may play a contributory role in a fall
Eye Conditions
>Vision can be affected by [hazy or cloudy vision, altered
depth perception, night blindness, and poor peripheral vision]
* Cataracts
* Glaucoma
* Macular degeneration
* Diabetic retinopathy
* Improper use of corrective lenses
 Condition affecting the Ears
> Defective hearing could lead to failure to listen to
warning noises, horns and misjudgements.
> Vestibular dysfunction from degeneration of the
structures of the inner ear results in loss of balance
 Neurological conditions
> Many neural conditions affect the elderly including
parkinsonism, transient ischemic attacks, residual
weakness from stroke, neuropathy.
> All of these affect gait and cause weakness, tremor
and imbalance, dizziness, and sensory disturbances.
> Diminished reflexes, proprioception, and spatial
sense could complicate matters.
 Cardiovascular conditions
> Conditions like Hypertension, hypotension,
peripheral vascular disease, arrhythmia, and
congestive heart failure can cause weakness,
dizziness,sensory disturbance,and or fainting.
 Psychiatric Disorders
> Dementia, depression, psychotic episodes, and
substance abuse can cause impaired functional status,
poor judgment, social isolation, and hallucinations.
 Musculoskeletal Problems
> Arthritis, deformities, changes in posture, impaired
function status, pain, stiffness, and gait disorders,
lower-extremity muscle weakness may cause fall.
> Foot problems like. calluses, corns, ingrown toenails,
infection, tendon contractures, bunions, and
neuromas can also increase fall risk.
 Medical Issues
* Acute illness
* Urinary conditions resulting in urgency and
frequency of urination increase the risk of a fall
* Poor nutritional status.
* Medications like narcotics, sedatives, and
antidepressants
 Falls arising from extrinsic causes are easier to prevent
by observing simple safety precautions, particularly in
the otherwise home environment.
 Observing safe measures and avoiding risky behavior
go a long way.
 A through home assessment and making it elderly
safe, helps in curbing the risks of fall.
 Bathroom
* Slippery bathroom surfaces are often responsible
for a fall. Safety equipment like a tub bench and hand-
held shower to allow bathing from a seated position.
Should be used.
* Study handrails positioned next to tub and toilet
areas assist in making safe transfer.
 Kitchen
* Many people fall in the kitchen when reaching or
bending for stored items. Frequently used items
should be stored at waist level. Step stool should have
a wide base of support.
 Bedroom
> Night lights are a simple effective remedy to
prevent falls as falls occur when person gets up and
moves in dark. Patients should also be reminded to
allow time for the their bodies to adjust to an upright
position before standing and walking bedroom
slippers should cover the entire foot and be supportive,
with nonslip soles.
 Common Areas
> The living room, dining room, and hallways should
be well lit and free of obstacles , torn carpets or scatter
rugs.
> Telephone and electrical wires should be secured to
walls and not strung across the floor.
 Outdoors
* These steps are not in personal control and require
policy decisions. Weather, bad pathways, potholes and
crowds become a hazard.
* Weather becomes a factor when slippery and it is better
for elderly persons to plan ahead and avoid foul weather if
possible.
 Personal Wear
* Ill fitting or worn shoes can lead to a fall both directly
and indirectly. Shoes should be low-heeled and have
nonslip soles with sufficient treads for good traction.
Slippers should cover the foot and have nonslip soles.
 Psychosocial factors
* Living alone, inability to afford food and other
necessities, and isolation from family and/or community
increase the risk.
 Get yourself checked (eyes and ears)
 Avoid the medicines that makes you dizzy.
 Tread carefully
 Footwear
 Organise(home arrangement)
 Avoid hurry
 Avoid alcohol