Hip fractures are one of the most serious fall-related injuries, which can lead to life-altering complications, particularly for older people. The elderly are more susceptible to fractures after a fall due to weakness, fragile bones, and osteoporosis. Most hip fractures occur in people over the age of 65. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year over 300,000 elderly people are hospitalized for hip fractures with 95% of hip fractures caused by a fall. However, the number of hip fractures for elderly people will increase as the U.S. population gets older. Women are more susceptible to falls than men.
Symptoms:
- Pain areas: hip or groin;
- Abnormal walking, bruising, stiffness, swelling around the hip area;
- Inability to move after a fall;
- Shorter leg on the side of your injured hip.
Treatment:
A hip fracture is a serious injury that might require surgical repair or replacement. After the surgery, there is usually a lengthy recovery and physical therapy process. The extent of the break often depends on the force that caused the break. According to University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), only one in four hip fracture patients are likely to make a full recovery.
Although surgery is successful in most cases, you may have complications afterwards. A hip fracture can keep an elderly person immobile for a long time, which can lead to serious complications such as:
- Bedsores;
- Pneumonia;
- Urinary tract infection;
- Blood clots in your legs or lungs
Additionally, hip fractures have a higher tendency of recurrence. If an elderly care facility or one of its employees has failed to take reasonable steps to prevent a fall, contact the New York nursing home abuse and elderly neglect lawyers of Hach & Rose, LLP, at (212) 779-0057 today for a free consultation. Our team is experienced in negligence cases and we are dedicated to protecting the rights of the elderly.
Dedicated to protecting the rights of the elderly 