Aging clinical and experimental research
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Treatment of osteoporotic fractures leads to significant challenges for the surgeon, including poor implant fixation related to low bone quality and compromised capacity of fracture healing. This article reviews the osteosynthesis and arthroplasty results in the surgical treatment of proximal femur, proximal humerus and wrist fractures to define the current options to decrease failure in fragility fracture management.
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The Life-Space Assessment (LSA) instrument of the University of Alabama and Birmingham study is a useful and innovative measure of mobility in older populations. The purpose of this article was to assess the reliability, construct and convergent validity of the LSA in Latin American older populations. ⋯ This study provides evidence for the validity of LSA in two Latin American populations. Our results suggest that LSA is a good measure of mobility that reflects the interplay of physical functioning with gender and the social and physical environment.
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Osteoporosis is a skeleton disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone tissue, resulting in an increased risk of fragility fracture. Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are recognized as a significant health problem particularly in older people with an impact on the quality of life, mobility and mortality. ⋯ The exercise protocols, designed specifically for individuals with vertebral fracture, should include postural correction, trunk and lower extremity muscle strengthening, balance exercises and falls prevention program. The aim of this short communication is to examine the rationale of a rehabilitation protocol after a vertebral fracture.
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Osteoporosis is a major public health concern, characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fracture. Fracture repair progresses through different pathways, striking a balance between bone formation and bone remodeling mechanisms. ⋯ In addition, in elderly patients, comorbidities and drugs therapies may also affect fracture healing. For this reason, pharmacological research is now focused on the possible use of antiosteoporotic drugs to promote bone healing in frail patients.
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Proximal femur fractures are common in elderly osteoporotic patients. The consequences of hip fractures in elderly individuals are significant in terms of years of life lost and reduction of the quality of life. ⋯ The proximal femur fractures are classified into medial and lateral fractures; usually the former fractures are treated with hip replacement and the latter are treated with osteosynthesis. The best way to treat this type of injury is mandatory and requires an accurate pre-operative classification of the lesion, considering also the comorbidity associated with the hip fractures.