Falls Flashcards
Who are te demographic that are most likely to fall?
Older people are more vulnerable especially if they have a long term health condition
What’s the statistics for falls for those over 65
1 in 3 over 65 who live at home will have at least 1 fall a year Half of them will have more frequent falls
What are the psychological effects of falls
Loss of confidence Become withdrawn Feeling of losing independence
What should a person do if they fall and they were NOT hurt
Keep calm, if you feel strong enough to get up don’t do it quickly Roll on hands and knees and look for stable chair or bed Hold furniture to support yourself to get up SLOWLY when you feel ready Sit and rest for a while before carrying out daily activities
What should a person do if they fall AND they were HURT or unable to get up
Call out for help by banging on wall or floor Use aid call button if you have one, crawl to telephone and dial 999 Try to reach something warm like blanket to cover yourself esp legs and feet Stay comfortable and try to change position every half an hour
What can increase chances of older people falling ?
Balance problems and muscle weakness Poor vision Long term condition: Heart disease, dementia ,hypotension. This can lead to dizziness and brief loss of consciousness
What are the external factors (not biological) that can increase frequency of falls
Wet or recently polished floors (e.g bathrooms) Dim lighting in room Rugs or carpets not properly secured Person rushing to go to toilet during day or night Person reaching for storage areas or going downstairs
What is a common cause of falls particularly older men
Falling from ladder when carrying out home maintenance work
Why can falls be problematic for men and women?
Osteoporosis
What are the ways in which osteoporosis can develop for both men and women
Smoking Excess alcohol Steroid medication Family history of hip fractures
Why are older women most at risk of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis more associated with Hormonal changes that occurs during menopause
What are the simple measure to prevent falls at home?
Use non slip mats in bathroom Mopping up spills to prevent wet slippery floors Ensuring rooms, passages and staircases are well lit Removing clutter Getting help to lift or move heavy items
What can the GP recommended to support older people who falls
Sight test- chef problem with vision even if you wear glasses ECG- check BP while lying and standing up Doing exercise to improve strength and balance Home hazard assessment- health prof comes to risk asses your home
What else can your GP do to support older people with falls
Simple test to check balance Review medicines to see if any side effect increases chances of falls
Define a hip fracture?
Bony injury of proximal femur
What factors predispose older peoples to fracture
Gait unsteadiness Reduced bone mineral density
What are the other risk factors that increases chance of getting a fracture
Age Osteoporosis Low muscle mass Steroids Smoking Excess alcohol intake
Draw and label the proximal femur
Head, neck Greater and lesser trochanters

What is the purpose of the inter-trochanter is line?
It lies on anterior surface of femoral neck running between trochanters It demarcates the inferior attachments of the hip capsule
Where does the capsule of the hip attach proximally to?
Margins of acetabulum and transverse acetabular ligaments
Where does the capsule of the hip attach distally to?
Inter-trochanters line, bases of greater and lesser trochanters and femoral neck (approx 0.5 inch from the trochanter is crest)
What does the hip capsule contain
RETINACULAR vessels- major blood supply to femoral head
What are the 3 sources of blood supply to the femoral head?
1) Retinacular vessels - MAJOR source 2) Foveal artery 3)Metaphyseal vessels

What give rise to the retinacular vessels
Originates from extra-capsular arterial ring, Profundus femoris to lateral and medial circumflex which give rise to the retinacular vessels
















