EXPERTS RAISE ALARM OVER HIP FRACTURE AMONG ELDERLY

High death rates, prolonged disability a matter of concern, say doctors, stressing on early surgery, rehab, fall prevention

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Hip fracture among the elderly is a significant health crisis. Frequently resulting from a simple fall in individuals with weakened bones due to osteoporosis, the mortality rate after such a fracture is striking, according to experts.

This serious injury, a break in the upper part of the thigh bone — femur — near the hip joint, almost always necessitates surgical intervention, followed by extensive physical therapy. According to doctors, one-year mortality rates after a hip fracture range from 14 per cent to 36 per cent.

Dr Abhimanyu Kumar, a consultant orthopaedic at the prominent Delhi-based healthcare centre said the risk of hip fracture rises with age, with women being particularly susceptible due to accelerated bone loss after menopause. "Beyond osteoporosis, other risk factors include poor vision, balance problems, osteoarthritis of the knees, muscle weakness (sarcopenia), use of multiple medications, and underlying chronic conditions like Parkinson's disease or stroke," he said.