CSI 6 Flashcards
what are the stats fro falls in people over 65?
1/3 of those over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year
What should you do if you fall?
Dont get up to quickly
if strong enough roll onto your hands and your knees and look for a stable piece of furniture, such as a chair or bed.
Hold on to the furniture with both hands to support yourself and, when you feel ready, slowly get up. Sit down and rest for a while before carrying on with your daily activities.
If you’re hurt or unable to get up, try to get someone’s attention by calling out for help, banging on the wall or floor, or using your aid call button (if you have one). If possible, crawl to a telephone and dial 999 to ask for an ambulance.
Try to reach something warm, such as a blanket or dressing gown, to put over you, particularly your legs and feet.
Stay as comfortable as possible and try to change your position at least once every half an hour or so.
Why are older people more likely to fall?
- balance problems and muscle weakness
- poor vision
- a long-term health condition, such as heart disease, dementia or low blood pressure (hypotension), which can lead to dizziness and a brief loss of consciousness
What is the most common cause of death in people over 75 in the UK
Falling
What non-medical reasons can mean a fall is more likely to occur?
- floors are wet, such as in the bathroom, or recently polished
- the lighting in the room is dim
- rugs or carpets are not properly secured
- the person reaches for storage areas, such as a cupboard, or is going down stairs
- the person is rushing to get to the toilet during the day or at night
What is a common cause of falls among older men?
falling from a ladder while carrying out maintenance work
Why can falls be more dangerous to older people?
because they are more likely to have OSTEOPOROSIS
What can cause osteoporosis?
- smoking
- drinking excessively
- steroid medication
- family history of hip fractures
Why are older women more at risk of developing osteoporosis?
its often associated with hormonal changes that occur during the menopause
How can you prevent a fall?
- using non-slip mats in the bathroom
- mopping up spills to prevent wet, slippery floors
- ensuring all rooms, passages and staircases are well lit
- removing clutter
- getting help lifting or moving items that are heavy or difficult to lift
What might a GP do to make sure an older person isn’t at high risk of falling?
- simple tests to check your balance
- check to see if any medication their taking has side effects that might increase the risk of falling
GP may also recommend:
- having a sight test if you’re having problems with your vision, even if you already wear glasses
- having an ECG and checking your blood pressure while lying and standing
- requesting a home hazard assessment, where a healthcare professional visits your home to identify potential hazards and give advice
- doing exercises to improve your strength and balance (read about exercise for older adults)
What is the definition of a hip fracture?
A hip fracture is a bony injury of the proximal femur typically occurring in the elderly.
What are the risk factors of a hip fracture?
- Increasing age
- Osteoporosis
- Low muscle mass
- Steroids
- Smoking
- Excess alcohol intake
What is the average age of a hip fracture?
80
How much do hip fractures cost the NHS and social care per year?
1 billion
How much more common is a hip fracture in women than in men
4x
What is the mortality due to a hip fracture?
40%
What does the proximal femur consist of?
- head
- neck
- trochanters(greater and lesser)
- shaft
largest bone in the human body
What are the names of the lines on the neck of the proximal femur?
INTER-TROCHANTERIC
Where is the hip capsule attached?
proximally to the margins of the acetabulum (hip socket) and transverse acetabular ligament
Distally to the inter-trochanteric line, bases of greater and lesser trochanters and to the femoral neck posteriorly
It is around the neck of the proximal femur
What is in the Hip capsule?
retinacular vessels - a major component of the blood supply to the femoral head.
Describe the blood supply to the femoral head?
Receives blood from 3 sources:
1)RETINACULAR VESSELS - main blood supply, originates from the extracapslar arterial ring, supplied by the MEDIAL AND LATERAL CIRCUMFLEX VESSELS(profunda femoris A.)
Reinforced by the superior and inferior gluteal arteries (internal iliac A.).
2) Foveal artery - not a major source. During skeletal development, supplies the epiphysis with a small amount of blood. Said to become obliterated in adult life (ligamentum teres).
3) Metaphyseal vessels - not a major source. After skeletal maturity, metaphysical arteries also contribute blood to the femoral head.
What are the classifications of hip fractures?
Above inter-trochanteric line= intra-capsular
Below inter-trochanteric line = extra-capsular
What are intra-capsular fractures associated with?
higher risk of disruption to the blood supply of the femoral head than extra-capsular fractures because they are closer to the RETINACULAR VESSELS