Caring for an older adult, whether a parent, spouse or friend, is a hefty responsibility. Beyond ensuring that their basic needs are met, you're accountable for getting them medical care and attention when illness or injury strikes.
Broken bones are a key concern among this population, since they're at a high risk for falls. How do you know if someone you're caring for has a broken bone? There are some telltale signs, said Eric Novack, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and independent member of the HonorHealth Medical Staff.
"Whenever there's an injury that causes any kind of deformity or where the bone doesn't look straight, the person should be evaluated right away," he explained.
Beyond that, Dr. Novack said that an inability or unwillingness to bear weight on the injured area warrants medical assessment. Similarly, if the injury doesn't get better or the individual doesn't show signs of improvement, then it's time to see a doctor.
"Even minor injuries that don't improve over several days deserve evaluation," he said. "In these non-urgent cases, you can schedule an appointment with the person's primary care physician or, if they already have a relationship with an orthopedic surgeon, you can go that route to avoid a trip to the emergency department."
In almost all suspected fracture cases, an X-ray can confirm whether a bone is broken and help assess the severity of the break. In some instances, such as suspected hip fractures, a CT scan or MRI may be needed to obtain a clear view of the injury. In addition to confirming a broken bone, medical imaging helps doctors outline an appropriate treatment plan.
Common fractures among seniors
The most common fractures sustained by seniors are fractures of the hip, pelvis, ankle and upper arm bone near the shoulder. Hip fractures are a major concern.
However, Dr. Novack cautioned that not all bone breaks are created equal. Some may leave the individual unable to move or bear weight on the affected area while others are less obvious.
"Although not common, it is possible for someone to be able to walk and put weight on the leg even with a broken hip," Dr. Novack said.
Therefore, if the person is limping significantly a day or two after being injured, make sure they see a doctor.
Treating fractures among older adults
"Treatment can range from rest or splinting the bone to joint replacement or surgery to realign and stabilize the bones with pins, a nail, plates and screws," Dr. Novack noted.
In all cases, treatment is based on the specifics of the injury and the patient's overall health status, chronic diseases and perceived ability to tolerate treatment. Some breaks resulting from low-energy injuries such as ground-level falls can be managed without surgery. In such cases, rest, pain control and slow but early movement therapy may be sufficient. In other cases, surgery is necessary. This is likely the case with hip fractures, which are almost always treated with surgery, Dr. Novack said.
"Choosing the right type of surgery — whether it's to realign the bones so they can heal or a partial or total joint replacement — depends on the location of the fracture and whether blood supply to the area has been affected," he said.