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Hip fracture risk factors and prevention strategies

Long-Term Care Nursing Advisor, June 3, 2004

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), women have a 1 in 7 chance of sustaining a hip fracture during their lifetime, while men have a 1 in 17 chance. Further, estimates suggest the number of hip fractures in the United States is expected to reach 650,000 by 2050. Many people enter into long-term care as the result of a hip fracture. And, despite prevention efforts, residents may sustain a hip fracture during a nursing home stay.

In order to safeguard your residents from a hip fracture, recognize the most common risk factors and make appropriate modifications to the care plan. The AAOS outlines the most common hip fracture risk factors:

• Age: Risk increases for people 65 and older.
• Gender: Women are two to three times more likely than men to fracture a hip.
• Heredity: A family history of late-life fractures indicates a higher risk.
• Nutrition: A low calcium dietary intake or reduced ability to absorb calcium makes a person more vulnerable to hip injuries.
• Personal habits: Smoking or excessive alcohol use increase risk.
• Physical impairments: Arthritis, osteoporosis, unsteady balance, and poor eyesight all may increase a resident's risk of hip injury.
• Mental impairments: Senility and dementia also make residents more vulnerable to hip fractures.

Though care plans should be individualized to address each resident's unique risk factors, there are some common hip injury prevention techniques. For instance, a preventive program that incoporates bisphosphonate, calcium supplements, vitamin D, and exercise and strengthening programs can significantly reduce the likelihood of hip fractures. And, though studies have produced conflicting results about their effectiveness, hip protectors that shunt away impact energy after a fall may also help prevent hip injuries.

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