During adulthood, there are certain traumatological injuries that occur frequently, forming part of the ailments in older and elderly people. Part of these injuries are due to lack of movement and a sedentary lifestyle, making these people more likely to fall and suffer injuries that require a trauma review. In this post we talk about what the most common trauma injuries are and how to help prevent them.
Changes in muscles, bones and joints with aging
Changes in posture and gait are very common as age advances. The skeleton provides support and structure to the human body; The joints, those that join the bones, provide flexibility to the body to provide movement; and, for their part, muscles provide strength and resistance to move the skeleton.
Thus, the changes in muscles, joints, and bones caused by aging, weaken people's movements.
Effects of aging on the musculoskeletal system
After a certain age, bone density begins to decrease, being more accelerated in women after menopause. As a result of this, bones become more brittle and prone to fracture, especially in old age.
The joints of the human body experience changes in the cartilage, becoming thinner and altering its components. Likewise, the joints become more rigid, limiting their range of motion.
The loss of muscle mass represents an increase in the load on certain joints, generally the knees, causing the person to suffer arthropathies and falls.
Osteoporosis and bone fractures in older people
Two aspects influence bone fractures in older people: falls and osteoporosis. The risk of falling increases with age, and if we add the bone fragility that occurs with advancing age, the risk of fractures in older people in very high.
Hip fractures in older adults
Hip fracture is one of the most feared by older people, caused by the breakage of the head of the femur. This fracture can appear at any time, whether walking or when getting up from a chair or bed, causing a fall.
Postmenopausal women are more likely to develop hip problems with aging, mainly due to the decrease in estrogen, which also favors the appearance of osteoporosis.
Fractures of the proximal third of the humerus in older adults
Proximal humerus fractures in older people have increased in recent years, accounting for almost 50% of humerus fractures. If considered in adults over 40 years of age, this type of fractures increases by up to 76%.
Fractures of the proximal third of the humerus appear as a cause of direct trauma, or when a person falls on the hand with the arm in abduction, or on the lateral aspect of the shoulder.
Patients with this type of fractures present significant pain in the shoulder area, so an x-ray study is necessary to evaluate its condition, the treatment of which will depend on the fracture fragments and their degree of displacement.
Wrist fracture in older people: Colles fracture
Colles' fracture is a distal fracture of the radius, which generally occurs due to a fall on an outstretched hand.
Colles fracture is an indicator of the degree of osteoporosis, since some studies show a relationship between this fracture and the presence of lower bone density.
How to reduce the risk of fracture in older people?
Safety is the first factor to prevent falls in older adults. Therefore, changing the environment will help reduce the risk of fall and cause a bone fracture. Using a walker or cane will help the elderly provide greater stability when necessary. Thus, wearing shoes with rubber soles will help with greater traction.
Eating a diet rich in calcium, with Vitamin D supplements, helps prevent the progression of osteoporosis. A diet rich in these nutrients will greatly help strengthen bones and, therefore, prevent the development of osteoporosis.
Likewise, exercise is one of the healthiest ways to delay and avoid muscle, joint and bone problems. Practicing moderate exercise will help maintain strength, balance and flexibility in people of advanced age. Performing exercises in water also helps improve coordination and muscle strength affected by osteoporosis.
At Elgeadi Traumatology we have a team of traumatologists who can help you with everything you need to achieve the most appropriate treatment for trauma injuries. If you have any traumatological injury, do not hesitate to make an appointment with our expert traumatologists in Madrid.
