Falls Flashcards
What is ‘hyperactive’ delirium?
Abnormally alert
Restless
Agitated
Possibly aggressive
Define hip fracture
Bony injury of the proximal femur typically occurring in the elderly
How can people with delirium be supported?
Review medications Pain free Properly hydrated Well nourished Oxygenated
How much do hip fractures cost the NHS a year?
£1 billion
What % of people with hip fractures cannot live independently afterwards?
50%
How would you treat Garden II, undisplaced,intra-articular, intra-capsular fracture?
Dynamic hip screw
Cannulated hip screw
What surgery is recommended for minimally displaced intra-capsular fracture gardens I/II?
2-3 cannulated hip screws
What are the risks of fragility fractures?
Age Female Low body mass/ Anorexia nervosa Parental history Corticosteroid therapy Cushing's 3+ units a day Smoking Ethnicity- caucasian higher risk OI/Acromegaly Visual impairment Cognitive impairment Sedative meds
What effects can be seen post-delirium?
Distressing memories
Rapid worsening of a person’s mental abilities
Later diagnosis of dementia
Higher risk of death
What % of them die within a year?
30%
What is sarcopenia?
Progressive and generalised loss of skeletal muscle and strength
Risk factors: age, gender, levels of physical activity
Why is vitamin D important in bone health?
Involved in calcium absorption
What is unique about the proximal femur?
Largest bone in the human body
What is the mechanostat theory?
Suggests that external forces influence the mass and architecture of the bone
Adapts strength to resist/cope with habitual loads
Regulatory mechanism in bone that senses changes in the mechanical demands placed on it and stimulates adjustment in its architecture
Below a certain threshold of mechanical use bone is reabsorbed
What does intra-capsular mean?
Above the inter-trochanteric line
What is teriparatide?
Recombinant fragment of parathyroid hormone
How can a fragility factor occur without a fall?
Coughing
Heavy lifting
Banging into things
Aside from clinical consequences what can a fall result in?
Loss of confidence
Become withdrawn
Loss of independence
What percentage of older people in hospital have dementia?
20%
What does PTH do?
Increases calcium reabsorption
Action of osteoclasts
What is ‘hypoactive’ delirium?
Causes patients to become withdrawn and sleepy
How might a hip fracture be caused in a younger person?
Trauma
Gait disturbance e.g. MS
Prolonger steroid use
What is type I?
Incomplete
Impacted in valgus
What role do stem cells in the bone marrow have in osteoporosis?
Stem cells become adipocytes rather than osteoblasts
What should you observe on an X-ray?
Shenton’s line should be continuous and smooth
What hormone level will rise in response to low calcium?
Parathyroid hormone
How many fractures does osteoporosis cause?
200,000 annually
What is type II?
Complete
Undisplaced
What are secondary causes of osteoporosis?
Rheumatoid arthritis Very sedentary lifestyle Hypogonadism Hyperparathyroidism Hyperthyroidism Post-transplantation Chronic kidney disease GI e.g. Crohn's, coeliac Premature menopause T1DM and T2DM Chronic liver disease COPD
What do you check for when a patient suffers delirium?
Infection
Electrolyte abnormalities
Metabolic abnormalities
Intracerebral pathology
Why might an elderly person be vitamin D deficient?
Not going out as frequently
Diet
Poor kidney and liver function
What is the inter-trochanteric line?
Line that lies of the anterior surface of the femoral neck running between trochanters
Demarcates the inferior attachments of the hip capsule
What can compression fractures cause?
Pain Morbidity associated with high analgesia doses Loss of height Difficulty breathing Loss of mobility GI symptoms Difficulty sleeping Symptoms of depression
Why might they die within a year?
Co-morbidities Infection Hospital acquired infections Heart failure Poor mobility- blood clots, bed sores
What factors might have contributed to Mrs Wilkins delirium?
Age Dehydration Change in environment Medications- change, new, not taking Painkillers Bladder and bowel problems Head trauma
Why are older people more susceptible to falls?
Balance problems Muscle weakness Poor vision Long term health conditions e.g. hearing disease Can lead to dizziness and a brief loss of conciousness Reduced bone mineral density Bones deficient in elastic reserve Medications e.g. beta blockers Low blood pressure (postural/orthostatic hypotension)
What makes you more susceptible to osteoporosis?
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Steroid medication
Family history of hip fractures
What T-score represents osteoporosis?
Less than 2.5
What should you do if you fall?
Keep calm
Don’t get up too quickly
Roll on your hands and knees
Look for a stable piece of furniture e.g. chair or bed
Hold with both hands
Rest before carrying on with daily activities
What is osteoporosis characterised by?
Low bone mass
Micro architectural disruption
Skeletal fragility
Decreased bone strength and increased risk of fracture
What are the effects of delirium?
Easily distracted More confused Changes in alertness Disorientation Rambling speech Disturbed patterns of sleep Prone to mood swings Hallucinations Abnormal/Paranoid beliefs
How do you divide care for patients with neck of femur fractures?
Pre op
Op
Post op
What is raloxifene?
Selective oestrogen receptor modulator
Inhibits bone reabsorption
Reduces vertebral fracture risk
How can hip fractures be classified?
intra- or extra- capsular
What post op components can be used?
Pain control Antibiotic prophylaxis FBC monitoring Routine examinations Cognitive function assessment Prevention and management of pressure sores Nutritional status monitoring Monitoring of renal/bowel/bladder function Wound care Early mobilisation
How can low BMD be treated?
Adequate vit D and calcium intake
What % of people with hip fractures die within in month?
10%
What are risk factors for fragility fractures?
Osteoporosis Advancing age Acromegaly Osteogenesis imperfecta Poor balance Poor muscle strength
Which type of dementia is delirium most similar to?
Lewy body
Why may HRT be used?
Option in younger perimenopausal women who also need treatment for symptoms of menopause
What are common sites for fragility fractures?
Vertebrae
Proximal femur
Distal radius
What is strontium ranelate?
Only used for severe osteoporosis
or patients for whom other treatments are not possible due to increased risk of myocardial infarction