One of the most typical postoperative complications in elderly patients having hip surgery is pneumonia. Postoperative complications, including wound infection, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, respiratory and urinary tract infections, and cardiovascular events, are the primary causes of death in elderly patients with hip fractures. A diminished functional ability to carry out independent living activities is another effect of hip fracture in the elderly.
So why do hip fracture causes pneumonia? The solution is provided in this article.
Read more: Why Do Broken Hips Kill Elderly: 3 Newest Explanations in 2023 – Elder VIP
What is a Hip Fracture?
The thighbone (femur) of your hip joint can break, causing a hip fracture.
Where two or more bones come together, they form joints. Your hip joint is a “ball and socket” joint, where your thighbone meets your pelvic bone. The head of your thighbone serves as the ball of your hip joint. Your pelvic bone contains a socket that resembles a cup. This is called the acetabulum. A hip fracture is a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.
Most hip fractures occur in people over 60. The incidence of hip fractures increases with age, doubling for each decade after age 50. Asians and Caucasians are more likely than others to be affected. This is primarily because of a higher rate of osteoporosis. The disease osteoporosis weakens bones by causing bone tissue to break down.
Hip fractures are more frequent in women than in men because women are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Each year, osteoporosis causes fractures in more than 1.5 million Americans.
Causes of a Hip Fracture
Hip fractures can happen to people of any age when there is a significant impact, like in a car accident. A fall from a standing height is the most common cause of a hip fracture in older adults. In people with very weak bones, a hip fracture can occur simply by standing on the leg and twisting.
Medical Conditions
The risk of hip fracture can be increased if you have:
- Osteoporosis. Bones become brittle and more prone to breaking as a result of this condition.
- Thyroid problems. Fragile bones may result from an overactive thyroid.
- Intestinal disorders. Weaker bones can result from illnesses that decrease calcium and vitamin D absorption.
- difficulties with balance. The risk of falling can be exacerbated by Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and peripheral neuropathy. Having low blood sugar or low blood pressure also can contribute to the risk of falls.
Certain Medications
If taken over an extended period of time, cortisone medications like prednisone can weaken bones. The risk of falling can increase when taking certain medications that can make you feel dizzy. The most frequently used drugs to prevent falls are sedatives, antipsychotics, and sleep aids.
Your Age and Sex
Bone density and muscle mass tend to decrease with age. Older people can also have problems with vision and balance, which can increase the risk of falling.
About three times as many women experience hip fractures as men do. In part, because menopause’s drop in estrogen levels causes bone loss to speed up, women experience a loss in bone density that is greater than that of men. But men are also susceptible to dangerously low levels of bone density.
Why Does Hip Fracture Cause Pneumonia?
Even though pneumonia can be fatal, especially in the elderly, many patients are unable to accurately assess their own risk for contracting the illness, which may result in ineffective prevention efforts and low uptake of available vaccines. The authors of the study hypothesized that unhealthy aging could result from the imbalance between the high risk of illness and death from pneumonia and the lack of knowledge about how serious it could be.
When it comes to hip fracture, however, it has been widely recognized as a major concern for the elderly patient population—perhaps unnecessarily in comparison to the dangers of pneumonia.
“We hope that placing the consequences of pneumonia in relation to the consequences of a hip fracture may provide a useful perspective for discussions of pneumonia and its prevention with aging populations,” Coworkers Guillon and write.
Bacteria
Pneumonia in adults is frequently brought on by bacteria. Although many different kinds of bacteria can cause pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumonia, also known as pneumococcus bacteria, is the most frequent culprit in the US.
When compared to typical pneumonia, some bacteria can cause pneumonia with additional symptoms or traits. Atypical pneumonia is the name of this infection. For example, Mycoplasma pneumonia causes a mild form of pneumonia often called “walking pneumonia.” The pneumonia-related illness known as Legionnaires’ disease is brought on by the bacteria Legionella pneumonia. A cold or the flu can cause bacterial pneumonia, or it can develop independently.
Fungi
Fungi such as Pneumocystis jirovecii may cause pneumonia, especially for people who have weakened immune systems. Some fungi found in the soil in the southwestern United States and in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys can also cause pneumonia.
Viruses
Pneumonia can be brought on by viruses that invade your airways and lungs. Viral pneumonia in adults is most frequently brought on by the flu (influenza virus) and the common cold (rhinovirus). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in young children.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is only one of many viruses that can cause pneumonia. Watch our video to learn more about how SARS-CoV-2 affects the lungs.
How to Prevent Pneumonia After a Hip Fracture?
Vaccines
Pneumococcus pneumonia or influenza virus-related pneumonia can both be avoided with vaccinations. There are some pneumonia cases that vaccines cannot stop. However, compared to people who don’t get vaccinated, those who are vaccinated and still get pneumonia tend to have:
- Fewer serious complications
- Milder infections
- Pneumonia that doesn’t last as long
Exercise to Strengthen Bones and Improve Balance
Walking and other weight-bearing exercises help maintain peak bone density. Exercise also improves general strength, which lowers the danger of falling. Due to the fact that balance tends to deteriorate with age, balance training is essential to lowering the risk of falls.
Flu (influenza) Vaccine
Your annual flu shot can aid in preventing pneumonia brought on by the flu. In order to prevent the flu, the flu vaccine is typically administered from September through October.
Assess the Home for Hazards
Throw rugs must be taken out, electrical cords must be kept against the wall, extra furniture must be removed, and anything else that might trip people must be cleared. Make sure the lighting is adequate in all the rooms and hallways.
Conclusion
The consequences of a hip fracture can be severe. The clot may occur in a vein, usually in your leg. Your lungs’ blood vessels could become the target of the clot if it breaks off. A pulmonary embolism is the name of this blockage, which can be fatal. It is important to take good care of your hip after a hip fracture, otherwise, pneumonia that can develop can also be very deadly.
FAQs
What is the Most Common Complication After a Hip Fracture?
A hip fracture may lead to serious complications. Blood clots can happen in the veins, usually in your legs. If a clot breaks off, it can travel to a blood vessel in your lung. Pulmonary embolisms are blockages that can cause death.
Why Are Hip Fractures So Serious to the Patient?
During recovery, a hip stress fracture can immobilize a patient for a long amount of time, potentially leading to blood clots and decreased muscle mass. High death rates may also be a result of post-operative complications such as infections and pulmonary embolisms.
