Main Article Content
Fractures in the Elderly in a West African Teaching Hospital
Abstract
Background: Fractures in the elderly in West Africa have been reported infrequently in the literature. A study of the pattern of fractures in the elderly as seen in a major urban trauma centre in Nigeria should give some indication of the magnitude of the problem and help to fashion out preventive measures.
Methods: This prospective study included all patients aged 65 years and above with fractures of the extremities seen over a period of 18 months. Data collected included age, sex, trauma mechanism, bones fractured, fracture configuration, associated injuries, and vitamin and calcium supplements. This data was stored electronically and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 15.
Results: Of 744 patients with fractures of the extremities in the period under review, 42 were aged 65 years and above. Nineteen were males (45.2%) and 23 females (54.8%). Ages ranged from 65 to 88 years with a mean of 73.4+ 6.7 years. The tibia and fibula was most frequently fractured, in 17 (40.5%), followed by the humerus and femur in 7 each and radius in 5. Bones of the lower limbs were fractured in 24 (57.2%), more frequently than the upper limb in 16 (38.1%). Femoral neck fractures were seen in 5 patients (11.9%), distal radius in 5 (11.9%) and ankle fractures in 9 (21.4%). Majority of the fractures (92.9%) were closed.
Trauma mechanisms include falls in 25 cases, motor vehicle injuries as passengers in 9 cases, and pedestrians in 5 cases. Associated injuries were head injuries and soft tissue injuries in 3 cases each. No history of vitamin D or calcium supplements was given.
Conclusion: Extremity fractures in the elderly are infrequently seen in our emergency room. Ankle fractures appear to be more common than distal radius and hip fractures. Falls are the commonest trauma mechanism.
Methods: This prospective study included all patients aged 65 years and above with fractures of the extremities seen over a period of 18 months. Data collected included age, sex, trauma mechanism, bones fractured, fracture configuration, associated injuries, and vitamin and calcium supplements. This data was stored electronically and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 15.
Results: Of 744 patients with fractures of the extremities in the period under review, 42 were aged 65 years and above. Nineteen were males (45.2%) and 23 females (54.8%). Ages ranged from 65 to 88 years with a mean of 73.4+ 6.7 years. The tibia and fibula was most frequently fractured, in 17 (40.5%), followed by the humerus and femur in 7 each and radius in 5. Bones of the lower limbs were fractured in 24 (57.2%), more frequently than the upper limb in 16 (38.1%). Femoral neck fractures were seen in 5 patients (11.9%), distal radius in 5 (11.9%) and ankle fractures in 9 (21.4%). Majority of the fractures (92.9%) were closed.
Trauma mechanisms include falls in 25 cases, motor vehicle injuries as passengers in 9 cases, and pedestrians in 5 cases. Associated injuries were head injuries and soft tissue injuries in 3 cases each. No history of vitamin D or calcium supplements was given.
Conclusion: Extremity fractures in the elderly are infrequently seen in our emergency room. Ankle fractures appear to be more common than distal radius and hip fractures. Falls are the commonest trauma mechanism.
