Orthopaedic problems frequently start to surface as people age. Fractures, osteoporosis, and arthritis are a few of the usual issues older adults deal with. Your parents might be included in this. They may begin to have problems with their bones and joints as they age. Furthermore, if ignored and untreated, these problems can worsen and possibly impair their mobility. Therefore, you must pay more attention to your parents’ orthopaedic health as they age to give them a high-quality life.
Common Orthopedic conditions in seniors :
Orthopaedic injuries are becoming more prevalent as a result of the growing ageing population and biological changes to older persons’ organs. Here are some common orthopaedic issues that affect older people:
Osteoarthritis
It is a degenerative illness, this disorder frequently affects the hands, fingers, ankles, knees, and spine. Exercises that call for flexibility, vigorous movement, or fine motor control are particularly difficult to carry out when one has osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis cannot be cured.
Fractures
The elderly have severe problems with fractures. People’s bone mineral density declines with age. In post-menopausal women, this is especially troublesome. Weaker, more fragile bones result from decreased mineral levels. This increases the risk of fractures when coupled with the propensity for elderly persons to have more unstable balance and visual issues. Bone strength may be improved by strength training activities, which can reduce the risk of breaking a bone.
Dislocations
The bones that make up a joint move from their initial locations when it dislocates. After a fall, when the bones move out of the joint, this frequently happens. An older adult who dislocates a joint will feel pain right away, but this agony will subside once a doctor has helped put the joint back in position. A follow-up appointment with an orthopaedic expert will guarantee a speedy recovery. For best results, the joint must often be immobilized for 4 weeks or longer.
Osteoporosis
After reaching a peak at around 30 years old, bone mass gradually declines. This increases the risk of osteoporosis in elderly people, a condition characterized by reduced bone mass and diminished bone density. Old bone tissue is regularly broken down and replaced by new bone by the body. Bones become brittle and weak when the process of making new bone cannot keep up with the process of losing bone.
Treatment :
Maintaining a healthy weight will be very beneficial. Extra weight puts a greater strain on the joint, increasing deterioration. Treatments for arthritic pain include drugs like paracetamol. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can also offer relief, but the doctor’s dose recommendations must be properly followed because they do have negative effects. Pain alleviation comes from physical therapy activities that strengthen the surrounding muscles. Additionally, they will ease stiffness and facilitate mobility.
It would be advantageous to make changes to make everyday tasks simpler. Two examples include adding chairs in the kitchen and installing grab bars in the bathroom for help. A physio therapist might help in this situation. Injections of corticosteroids can also reduce pain, but they should not be used frequently due to their negative effects. A person may receive no more than 3–4 shots in a calendar year. Surgery for severe instances alone, such as an osteotomy for knee osteoarthritis and joint replacement.
After a fracture, the bones need to be set in place (reduced); surgery may or may not be necessary. The bones are fixed and immobilized with a cast during closed reduction. In an open reduction, the bones are fixed in place by surgery using metal plates, screws, etc. Following surgery, a cast will be applied to prevent movement and accelerate healing. Medication will be recommended for the pain.
Setting the bone in place is just the first step in treating a fracture; rehabilitation is also crucial. Making individual mobility again is essential, and a physiotherapist may assist with exercises to recover mobility and build muscle. Elderly people experience trauma from fractures because they may lose their independence and experience effects on their mental health. Fall prevention techniques and safe driving habits have to be promoted. The elderly will benefit greatly from regular physical activity, especially when it involves balancing and strengthening exercises. With a doctor’s approval, you can also begin taking calcium supplements.
Conclusion :
There is no special exercise or therapy that can give you healthy bones and joints. It all comes down to daily, tiny initiatives taken from an early age. Your parents may not have been concerned about their orthopaedic health up until this point; to end their rigidity, get an orthopaedic consultation from Athulya home health care right away.
