No. 1 cause of elderly wrist fractures identified

Every year, millions of seniors are treated for bone fractures that were caused by a slip and fall. Simple falls are a leading cause of broken wrists, arms and ankles, and account for 95 percent of all hip fractures for people over the age of 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To help reduce the number of injuries that seniors obtain from falling down, gerontology researchers have been studying the most common causes for fracture-creating falls. In a new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, doctors at the Washington University School of Medicine have pinpointed the factor that leads to the majority of elderly wrist fractures: poor balance.

Decreased balance in the elderly leads to injury

In this study, researchers tested the balance of seniors who had sustained a wrist fracture sometime after they turned 65. Participants underwent dynamic motion analysis to evaluate their level of balance and were interviewed about their medical histories. The results were then compared to those of a control group, comprised of comparable seniors who hadn’t broken their wrists.

What the team discovered was that across demographic groups, the majority of seniors who had fractured their wrists scored much lower on the balance tests than those who had gone fracture free.

“Our study finds that older adults who sustain a wrist fracture are more likely to have poor balance compared to those who have not sustained this injury,” said Dr. Craig Louer, an orthopedic surgery resident at the Washington University School of Medicine and lead author of the report. “These fractures should signal the need for an evaluation and possible treatment for balance deficits to decrease the risk of subsequent higher risk injuries, such as hip or spine fractures.”

The study revealed that many of the participants who had weak balance were not being given tools to help improve their stability. Only 9 percent of them had received recommendations for balance training and physical therapy. Without resources for improving balance, seniors will be susceptible to falling down and breaking bones.

Poor balance can cause seniors to fall, often resulting in bone fractures.

Improving strength and balance to keep seniors safer

Accidental falls are the No. 1 cause of fractures for seniors, as their bones become less able to withstand even minor impact after tripping. Bone density depletes as seniors grow older – it’s difficult for aging bodies to absorb the nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D, that the skeletal system needs to stay strong and repair itself quickly. Add to that the years of stress that bodies endure over the course of a person’s lifetime and it’s no wonder that a simple slip and fall could cause a serious injury.

According to data collected by the CDC, 20 percent of senior falls result in serious injuries like broken bones or concussions. Annually, 2.5 million seniors end up in an emergency room to treat a fall-related injury. While balance and general mobility problems are a leading cause of falls, there are other physical limitations that put seniors at risk as well. Lower-body weakness and vision impairment are also major contributors to falling accidents.

Though loosing strength and balance is common in the elderly, they’re rarely permanent, inevitable conditions. The problem for many seniors is that once they begin to lose muscle mass their mobility greatly decreases. Once they begin to have trouble moving around they start to become more sedentary, which in turn leads to greater muscle atrophy and mobility limitations.

Seniors should try to participate in low-impact exercises at least three to four times a week. Water aerobics, light weight lifting or even just walking are great ways for seniors to help build up strength. Patients who are living sedentary lifestyles should start of slowly at first and then work their way up to more rigorous exercise. They can start by walking 10 minutes a day for a week, then increase to 12 minutes the next week and then 15 minutes the week after that. By staying active, they can prevent some of the conditions that can lead to dangerous falling accidents.

It’s important to check with a physician before engaging in any kind of fitness plan, however. Seniors should be evaluated so their doctors can recommend a safe level of activity before they begin. Medical teams can also recommend physical therapy programs that specifically address building strength and balance for the elderly so they can achieve the results they need to stay healthy and active.