Fractures in older persons.

Abstract

Fractures in the elderly, especially hip fractures, have increased during recent decades in the west. Due to their large number, and often extended demands on hospital resources, older persons with hip fractures make heavy demands on health care resources. The fractures are the result of both increasing skeletal fragility and increasing falling tendency with age. Preventive measures consist primarily of opposing the sedentary life style of modern society. A continued moderate physical activity since youth, combined with sufficient access to calcium and vitamin D, builds up and retains enough bone stock to resist the decay of 1-2% per year that starts from the fifth decade of life onwards. Falling accidents are probably easier to prevent by training of muscular activity and balance compared to the osteoporosis, which needs a long preventive perspective. The rehabilitation prognosis for the individual patient has greatly improved over recent years.