Falls Flashcards
What is ‘hyperactive’ delirium?
Abnormally alert
Restless
Agitated
Possibly aggressive
Define hip fracture
Bony injury of the proximal femur typically occurring in the elderly
How can people with delirium be supported?
Review medications Pain free Properly hydrated Well nourished Oxygenated
How much do hip fractures cost the NHS a year?
£1 billion
What % of people with hip fractures cannot live independently afterwards?
50%
How would you treat Garden II, undisplaced,intra-articular, intra-capsular fracture?
Dynamic hip screw
Cannulated hip screw
What surgery is recommended for minimally displaced intra-capsular fracture gardens I/II?
2-3 cannulated hip screws
What are the risks of fragility fractures?
Age Female Low body mass/ Anorexia nervosa Parental history Corticosteroid therapy Cushing's 3+ units a day Smoking Ethnicity- caucasian higher risk OI/Acromegaly Visual impairment Cognitive impairment Sedative meds
What effects can be seen post-delirium?
Distressing memories
Rapid worsening of a person’s mental abilities
Later diagnosis of dementia
Higher risk of death
What % of them die within a year?
30%
What is sarcopenia?
Progressive and generalised loss of skeletal muscle and strength
Risk factors: age, gender, levels of physical activity
Why is vitamin D important in bone health?
Involved in calcium absorption
What is unique about the proximal femur?
Largest bone in the human body
What is the mechanostat theory?
Suggests that external forces influence the mass and architecture of the bone
Adapts strength to resist/cope with habitual loads
Regulatory mechanism in bone that senses changes in the mechanical demands placed on it and stimulates adjustment in its architecture
Below a certain threshold of mechanical use bone is reabsorbed
What does intra-capsular mean?
Above the inter-trochanteric line
What is teriparatide?
Recombinant fragment of parathyroid hormone
How can a fragility factor occur without a fall?
Coughing
Heavy lifting
Banging into things
Aside from clinical consequences what can a fall result in?
Loss of confidence
Become withdrawn
Loss of independence
What percentage of older people in hospital have dementia?
20%
What does PTH do?
Increases calcium reabsorption
Action of osteoclasts
What is ‘hypoactive’ delirium?
Causes patients to become withdrawn and sleepy
How might a hip fracture be caused in a younger person?
Trauma
Gait disturbance e.g. MS
Prolonger steroid use
What is type I?
Incomplete
Impacted in valgus
What role do stem cells in the bone marrow have in osteoporosis?
Stem cells become adipocytes rather than osteoblasts