Preventing Hip Fracture May Lower Mortality Risk

Everyone knows that a hip fracture is a serious injury, but few people understand how devastating this injury can be. In elderly people who sustain a hip fracture, the chance of death is about 25% within one year of the injury. New research found that there is an increased chance of mortality for about 5-10 years from the time of the injury.

This study, published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, underscores the importance of preventing fractures and falls in the elderly population. The study did not fully determine if the cause of the higher mortality rate was due to the fracture itself or to the underlying problems that caused the fracture. However, the study does emphasize the importance of proper treatment of osteoporosis and appropriate fall prevention strategies.

Related: Preventing Falls at Home | Osteoporosis Treatments

Sources: "Older Adults Who Experience Fracture Have Higher Risk of Death For 5 - 10 Years" JAMA. 2009;301[5]:513-521.