Woman breaks 2.4 times more hip, fatal if left unattended
Jan 28, 2025
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The hip joint is the second largest joint in the human body after the knee joint, connecting the torso and legs, supporting the weight, and enabling leg exercises such as walking and running. Hip fractures are fractures that occur in the area where the thigh bone and pelvis are connected, and occur mainly in the elderly and osteoporosis patients.
According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of hip fracture patients increased from 31,629 in 2014 to 41,809 in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 3%, and women 2.4 times more than men.
In terms of age and gender, women aged 80 or older accounted for the largest proportion at 35%, followed by 20.6% for women in their 70s, 9.1% for men aged 80 or older, 8.4% for women in their 60s, and 8.1% for men in their 70s.
In response, Shin Geun-young, head of orthopedic surgery at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, said "Hip joint fractures continue to increase with the increase of the elderly population and increase with age. Especially in winter, falls often occur due to slippery roads due to snow and black ice, and young people only suffer minor bruises or abrasions, but in the elderly, bones are weakened due to osteoporosis and ligaments and muscles surrounding the joints are also weakened, so there is a high risk of hip fractures. And for women, postmenopausal hormone reduction increases the risk of osteoporosis, which also increases the risk of hip fractures."
The reason hip fractures are dangerous is that once a fracture occurs, the risk of secondary fractures increases, and if a secondary fracture occurs, the mortality rate is much higher than that of the general public.
Director Shin Geun-young said "In the event of a hip fracture, it is impossible to walk with extreme pain and long-term bed rest is inevitable, so complications such as bedsores and pneumonia can lead to death. Therefore, the most important goal of hip fracture treatment is to minimize complications by moving patients as quickly as possible. Most hip fractures require surgical treatment, and surgery is performed to fix the fracture site with metal or convert it into an artificial joint", he explained.
To prevent hip fractures in the elderly, install anti-slip mats and handles in bathrooms, keep the lights bright, and remove easily caught items to create an environment to prevent falls, wear shoes that fit tightly on your feet and have anti-slip function, and consume enough calcium and vitamin D along with a balanced diet.
Director Shin Geun-young advised "It is important to conduct a bone density test normally because bone fractures are likely to occur if you suffer from osteoporosis, and to prescribe and manage appropriate drugs if necessary, and to exercise steadily to prevent muscle weakness to the extent that it is not unreasonable."
"If a fall accident occurs and is left unattended, it is recommended to visit a hospital quickly for examination even if the pain is not severe because the fractured bone can become more dislocated over time or the fracture fragment can poke the surrounding tissue, and the change in behavior of the elderly should be carefully examined at home," he added.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
