Femoral neck fractures in the elderly patient: a preventable injury.
There is growing evidence that many fractures of the femoral neck in the elderly occur spontaneously because of stresses imposed on osteoporotic bone, rather than because of the trauma of the fall. A case of a spontaneous femoral neck fracture (Garden type IV) in an elderly woman with osteoporosis is presented. Early detection and medical management of osteoporosis complemented with assistive technology could have prevented this common injury.
Nguyen
N D
ND
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
Oesterling
B R
BR
McLaughlin
R E
RE
Edlich
R F
RF
D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications*; D011859:Radiography; D012656:Self-Help Devices