Elderly people are obviously more susceptible to broken bones, why is it specifically a broken hip bone that is such a death knell?
In: Biology
The other answers cover a lot, what they are missing is fear. The trauma that is caused by a broken hip often limits the mobility of the patient, even when they could physically continue the activities. They will be more hesitant to do many of the activities they were before, this often leads to even simple things like climbing a few stairs. They will make excuses not to, although rational sounding at first, if watched they progress to anything to avoid activities that could lead to falling again. As the fear overshadows their lives, they will stay home more, stay in bed or sitting more. This will lead to continuing decline in muscle mass and deconditioning. It’s a cyclical system where the deconditioning makes it harder to do as much as they could a week ago so they avoid even more, increasing their deconditioning.
The muscles are not the only victims here, the heart and lungs become weaker with less use, skin becomes more prone to pressure sores. Movement promotes bowel motility. Bones become even weaker.
Ultimately, it becomes a downward spiral that can end in death if it is not addressed and monitored closely.
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