Osteoporosis fracture - what to do?
Osteoporotic fractures are as common as toothache when the corresponding nerve is damaged. If a person has a similar disease, characterized by a violation of bone density, then he will not be able to avoid fractures. Most often, women who have entered menopause are susceptible to these unpleasant phenomena, since in addition to the fact that the production of necessary hormones stops or significantly decreases, the bone tissue itself begins to gradually lose density by this age. By the age of 70, both women and men suffer from fractures due to osteoporosis of a single person.
The most common fractures are fractures of the wrist, hip, and spine. In each case, it is necessary to provide appropriate assistance, therefore, it is necessary to know the sequence of actions that should be performed in case of a bone fracture due to osteoporosis.
Content:
- Fracture of the femoral neck: a guide to action
- Osteoporosis wrist fracture: what to do?
- Spine fracture in osteoporosis: what to do?
Fracture of the femoral neck: a guide to action
Persistent pain in the pelvic region may be a reason to suspect an older person has a hip fracture. It increases significantly when a person tries to lift the leg, so it is not possible to keep the limb suspended. In addition, there is often some shortening of the leg compared to the healthy one, by about 3 cm.
If these symptoms are observed, then some actions should be taken:
- Call a doctor. If the pain is not unbearable, then instead of an ambulance team, you can invite an ordinary local doctor to your home to clarify the diagnosis and receive further guidance for action. If a person has unbearable pain, then urgently call an ambulance.
- Before the arrival of doctors, one should not load the leg; it is best to put the person on his back.
- Any pain reliever that is on hand can be given to reduce pain.
- It is advisable to fix the affected limb so that the hip and knee joints are involved. In this case, the leg should not be bent, rotated or tried to straighten.
- If it is not possible to fix the leg, then a pillow must be placed under the knee, and fabric rollers under the ankle.
Before the arrival of doctors, you should try to calm the affected person. Treatment, depending on the patient's condition, can be either conservative or surgical. At the stage of recovery, the person should be helped with taking medications and performing hygiene procedures. It is not necessary to restrict the victim in liquid, but carbonated drinks or coffee should not be used to quench their thirst, as they contribute to the leaching of calcium from the bones. As for the diet, the diet must necessarily include foods rich in fiber, as well as fermented milk products. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of meat, replacing it with bran.
Osteoporosis wrist fracture: what to do?
Most often, a wrist fracture occurs during a fall, when a person with their entire body weight falls on an outstretched arm. If in a healthy man or woman, such a blow can only cause a bruise or dislocation, then in people suffering from osteoporosis, a fracture is most likely formed. In this case, the injured place almost instantly swells, there is severe pain, especially when trying to move, the temperature may rise.
The algorithm of actions for a fracture of the wrist is as follows:
- Deliver the patient to the emergency room or, in the absence of such an opportunity, call an ambulance at home.
- Until the arrival of doctors, you should give the person an anesthetic and limit his movements as much as possible.
- It is best to keep your hand on a flat, hard surface, but in no case on weight. This will reduce pain and prevent the bones from moving further.
Treatment of a fracture of the wrist is local, by applying a plaster cast. After the edema subsides, it becomes possible to take an X-ray and examine in more detail the site of the fracture and the correctness of the bone fusion. Most often, the plaster cast is applied for a rather long time, it is approximately 4 months, but it can be significantly increased, since the fracture was caused by osteoporosis. After the bones are healed, special exercises can be performed to improve the flexibility of the wrist.
Spine fracture in osteoporosis: what to do?
A spinal fracture is a common occurrence with bone loss due to osteoporosis. In older people, bones can be so fragile and so emaciated that even minor trauma leads to a spinal fracture. In some cases, even a severe cough or lifting a small load may cause the fracture.
If a spinal fracture occurs, then the following actions must be taken:
- Do not carry, move or try to lift the victim, unless the environment around him poses a direct threat to life.
- The human body should be in a static position, the limbs should not be suspended. To fix the body, you can use pillows, blankets and other improvised items.
- It is necessary to immediately call an ambulance, and before its arrival, do not try to bend or tilt the human body.
- If it is necessary to move a person with a spinal injury, then it is best to put him on a wooden shield and fix his body parts.
With regard to treatment, doctors will conduct the necessary tests, such as MRI or X-ray. After that, a course of certain drugs will be prescribed, it is possible to wear special corsets. But in any case, the patient will be prescribed bed rest. It must be observed for at least a month, which is especially important for older people suffering from osteoporosis, since bone fusion in them is much slower than in young people. In the first three months of recovery, you will not be able to lift weights or perform torso turns. Naturally, if you follow the doctor's recommendations and a competent approach to nutrition, healing will go much faster.
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A very interesting video in which you will learn the true essence of osteoporosis and how to protect yourself from fractures?
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
