Significantly almost 50 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, which is a significant risk factor for hip bone fractures in older adults in India
There was a time when old people particularly those nearing 100 years of age were left to depend on others for the rest of their lives or fend for themselves – without any treatment and had no option but to live with agonising and unbearable pain due to blood loss, blood clots, bed sores and other complications after falls and fractures – a fairly common occurrence in old age. Not anymore, due to the latest advancements in medical science.
Significantly almost 50 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, which is a significant risk factor for hip bone fractures in older adults in India.
It’s estimated that by 2026, the number of hip fractures in India will increase significantly, with around 600,000 osteoporotic hip fractures occurring annually.
According to studies hip bone fractures are the cause behind 15 per cent to 36 per cent mortality rates. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma revealed that the overall 2-year mortality rate for hip fracture patients in India is around 11.2 per cent. Many older adults in India face significant barriers to accessing timely and adequate healthcare for hip fractures, including limited availability of orthopaedic services and rehabilitation facilities. Hence, there is a need for standardised, effective, and multidisciplinary management approaches for the treatment and rehabilitation of hip fracture patients in India.
Renowned senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rahul Sharma, an expert in hip, knee and shoulder surgeries and founder of Life in Motion Clinic who practices in Sawan Neelu Angel’s Hospital, Saket, New Delhi says, “Any health condition that affects the balance, stability or ability to walk can increase the risk of breaking a hip. The older you are, the longer it takes your body to heal any injury, and that’s especially true when you have a major hip fracture. The surgery to treat a hip fracture and recovery from it is much harder in the case of older adults.”
“The risk of falls and fractures is even more profound in older adults, particularly those nearing 100 years of age who are more susceptible and have a higher risk of falls, fractures and injuries due to age- related reduced mobility, balance, and strength, osteoporosis, dementia, cognitive impairment, reduced vision, hearing, and sensory perception as well as chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease”, he adds.
Even extrinsic factors like slippery floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting and footwear with slippery soles or poor traction as well as medications that cause dizziness, and drowsiness can increase the risk of falls.
As a result, falls and fractures lead to loss of independence, decline in mobility, chronic pain, life- threatening conditions, and reduced quality of life.
Hip replacements are usually safe surgeries which usually take one to two hours. Most people regain their mobility as well as range of motion and experience a dramatic decrease in pain and stiffness after a hip replacement. A hip replacement usually makes it easier to walk, climb stairs and do other physical activities. If all goes well, a patient may be able to use the hip, walk, move, sit down, stand up, go up or down the stairs, go to the washroom, bathe, shower and get dressed without any restrictions in six to 12 weeks. During a hip replacement, the surgeon removes a part of the bone and cartilage from the existing hip joint and replaces it with a prosthesis usually made of metal, plastic or ceramic.
A living example is S C Kapur, a 100-year-old man fall at home, suffered a severe fracture that resulted in acute, unbearable pain. After being promptly admitted, Dr Sharma advised an immediate elective hip replacement—the only viable solution considering Kapur’s fracture type and accompanying health conditions. The surgical team adhered to the highest standards of asepsis to prevent infection, ensuring a meticulous operation that lasted only one to two hours. Within three days, Kapur was discharged and has since begun a comprehensive rehabilitation program, already showing promising improvements in mobility and comfort.
According to Dr Sharma “A successful surgery with good outcomes not only gives satisfaction to the medical team but also installs the faith in the patient over medical advancements. The geriatric population of our society is the most sensitive class that needs and deserves a better medical care facility to achieve a better life.
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