![]() ![]() ![]() The multidisciplinary postoperative care is streamlined, standardized and coordinated, too. “We’ve been able to reduce the time before a patient gets surgery by 12 hours, on average,” Dr. An operating room staffed by an orthopaedic surgeon and support team is available for surgery every morning. The affected area is numbed with a nerve block within two hours to keep the patient pain free without having to use opioid medications, which can bring complications such as delirium. “The process is standardized, so everything happens quickly and in the right way,” Dr. A protocol has been established to deliver preoperative care rapidly and efficiently. There is good evidence that there are better outcomes when the fracture is treated quickly.”Īt Yale Medicine, a person thought to have (or diagnosed with) a geriatric hip fracture goes to Yale New Haven’s Saint Raphael Hospital campus and is admitted to the geriatric hip repair service, specifically designed for patients over 55. Baumgaertner says: “The average length of stay has historically been far longer than it needed to be. In response to this challenge, Yale Medicine has pioneered an innovative, streamlined geriatric hip fracture service to provide the optimal care these patients need. That often takes several days, which is not optimal for these fragile patients. Patients may be admitted and given painkillers until their surgeon and an operating room are available. Treatment involves surgery, either to replace the fractured ball joint or to repair the leg’s femur bone.īut, because these injuries are unpredictable, most hospitals struggle to schedule these operations in a streamlined way. Walking powers up your legs, stretching helps prevent tight muscles and improves your posture, and yoga can improve your balancing abilities.Most geriatric hip fractures are diagnosed in the emergency room, based on the patient’s description of symptoms (a fall, followed by intense pain in the hip or groin), a physical exam and an X-ray. Working out is a great way to boost your balance. An annual eye exam ensures you see as clearly as possible so you can safely navigate stairs, hills, and the inside of your home. He or she might recommend a different medication or dosage that will minimize your risk of falls. Better yet, ask your pharmacist or provider. Read the instructions that come with your medications to understand any drug interactions or potential side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness, that might affect your balance. These small steps help you make it around your home safely. ![]() While you’re at it, install grab bars in your bathroom, keep your home well-lit and make sure the railings by your stairs are sturdy. Stacks of magazines by your chair may be convenient, but they’re also easy to trip over. Protect your bone density by eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods and performing resistance exercises, which strengthen bones. Reduced bone density leads to osteoporosis and osteopenia. Bone density measures how mineral-dense your bones are. It can cause you to fall, which is the main cause of broken hips. Some medications affect your balance and strength, putting you at risk of falling and breaking your hip. You can lower your risk of fractures by drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and staying physically active. If you have family members with weak bones who experienced breaks late in life, you’re more likely to have a hip fracture as well. Therefore, women should be particularly careful to protect their hips. Though older men break their hips, 75% of broken hips occur in women. ![]()
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