Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor has sustained an injury after falling at home. The actress who is known not only for her films, but also for her many husbands, fell out of bed and broke her hip. The injury will require surgery, although exactly what will have to be done depends on the type of hip fracture.
Many people often wonder if surgery is necessary for frail, elderly patients who may have limited abilities to walk on their own. It has been reported that Gabor has been confined to a wheelchair for mobility for a number of years.
However, taking care of elderly patients, even very frail patients, requires frequent changes in position, and movement for changing clothes and cleaning the individual. These tasks can be difficult and painful if surgery is not performed. Furthermore, while there are potential complications with fixing a broken hip in a frail patient, there are likely more complications associated with not fixing the broken hip. Patients who do not have surgery after breaking a hip are prone to bed sores, pneumonia, and blood clots--all potentially life-threatening. Because of these concerns, most patients, even the most frail, require surgery to repair a broken hip.
Related: Hip Fractures | Osteoporosis | Preventing Falls at Home
Sources: "Zsa Zsa Gabor breaks hip in fall from bed" CNN.com, July 18, 2010.
