Understand the risks of femoral neck fracture

The femur is the largest bone in the human body. Present in the thigh, it connects the pelvis and the knee joint. Former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC) underwent surgery this Sunday (13) to treat a fracture in his femur.

With advancing age, bones begin to show a natural weakness. Loss of muscle strength and reduction in visual capacity, greater difficulty in maintaining balance and the use of medications that interfere with blood pressure and the nervous system favor falls, which can lead to femur fractures in the elderly.

In this Monday’s edition (14) of the Medical Correspondentfrom Novo Dia, neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes explained how femoral neck fractures happen.

“The neck of the femur is in this region, almost in the transition from the long part to the joint in the hip region. If there is a fracture in that region, the person is totally unable to walk, to stand up and it is something that can be extremely painful and serious,” she said.

According to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (Into), this type of accident happens mainly among the elderly. Risk factors include advanced age, osteoporosis and family history. Smoking and alcohol use make bones thinner and more fragile, which also favors injury. In addition, women suffer three times more than men.

Symptoms after a fall include pain, difficulty walking, and instability when standing. The diagnosis must be made by a doctor, from imaging tests such as radiography and tomography.

In most cases, the treatment is surgical, which can range from placing pins and screws to replacing the joint with the use of prostheses.

comprehensive health

According to the neurosurgeon, the adoption of healthy habits such as a balanced diet, physical activity, medical monitoring and avoiding alcohol and smoking can help reduce the risk of bone fractures.

“Having a healthy lifestyle and understanding the importance of regular physical activity to prepare both muscles and bones. It is super important to maintain weight-bearing exercises. We live in a world where there is the force of gravity and we know that the load on the bone itself makes it always strong,” he said.

Regular participation in physical exercise programs can lead to the development of agility, strength, balance, coordination and gains in quadriceps strength and ankle mobility.

Routine medical follow-up also allows for the detection of possible factors associated with the risk of fractures. Ophthalmological and physical exams should be performed annually, mainly to identify heart and blood pressure problems.

Maintaining a diet with adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, with daily sunbathing, are also protective factors.

How to prevent fall accidents

The incorporation of safety measures can help to reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. Proper footwear, non-slip mats and the inclusion of handrails in hallways and stairs are some of the strategies. Check out other recommendations from the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics:

  • Eliminate anything that could cause slipping
  • Wear shoes with non-slip soles and tie the shoelace
  • Replace slippers that are deformed or too loose
  • Avoid high, flat-soled shoes
  • Never walk around in socks
  • Always leave the path free of obstacles
  • Keep environments well lit
  • Rearrange furniture layout and don’t let extensions get in the way
  • Remove rugs that promote slipping
  • Place mats with both adhesive sides in free areas

Source: CNN Brasil

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