Nancy Pelosi undergoes a hip replacement after a fall

Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi fell this week during her stay in Luxembourg, leading to her undergoing hip replacement surgery in Germany just days later. Pelosi, 84 years old, traveled to Europe as part of the 80th anniversary commemoration of The Ardennes Offensive. Apparently, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, who continues to wear mostly high-heeled shoes, slipped on a marble floor and injured herself, probably breaking her hip. She was hospitalized and just a few days later underwent hip replacement surgery.

Such injuries occur at any age, especially on smooth surfaces and on heels, but also on bones fractions are much more common in older individuals, and especially in women. The hip, a ball-and-socket joint on the upper thigh bone, is most likely broken in the upper portion, known as the femoral neck. In the US alone, more than 300,000 people suffer hip fractures every year, the majority of whom are 65 years and older. The injury is extremely painful and surgical intervention, with repair or replacement, is almost always indicated.

Hip replacement surgery is often performed as a result of chronic hip conditions, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, chronic wear and tear of the joint due to years of stress or tension, or as a result of chronic hip conditions in childhood. It is also performed after chronic or acute injuries, the latest of which was the case of Nancy Pelosi. Replacement surgery involves removing the damaged area, usually both the femoral neck and the femoral head (the ball portion of the ball and socket joint), and replacing it with a metal or ceramic ball and stem structure, providing newfound strength and stability to the hip. damaged bone and/or joint.

A major risk factor for a hip fracture is a condition called: osteoporosisor low bone density. A condition that is less concerning but also puts people at risk of fractures is known as osteopenia, which is also low bone density, but to a lesser extent than osteoporosis. More than half of both men and women over the age of 50 likely have some degree of low bone density. Of these, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men with low bone mass will break a bone if osteoporosis is left untreated.

Common causes and risk factors for osteoporosis:

• Aging, as bone remodeling decreases after age 30.
• Hormonal changes, especially declining estrogen levels in menopausal women.
• Genetic predisposition, which may include short stature and being white
• Smoking cigarettes
• Lack of exercise
• Poor nutrition
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Various chronic medical conditions and use of specific medications

Prevention and diagnosis of osteoporosis

Adults can in some cases prevent osteoporosisor minimize the progression of osteopenia, by routinely maintaining healthy levels of exercise, reducing cigarette smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption. Diet, supplement, and hormone replacement recommendations should be reviewed and discussed with your doctor as they may vary from person to person.

The diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis is made by performing: bone mineral density test, also called DEXA or DXA scan. This is a series of X-ray tests that look at the bones of the hips and lower back. A score is given based on the density of those bones, and that score can indicate the degree of bone mineralization or density. Low-density bones are then determined to be osteopenic (moderately low density) or osteoporotic (significantly low density). Currently, the U.S. Preventive Task Force recommends bone density screening for women age 65 and older, and for both men and women over age 50 with specific risk factors for osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Treatment of osteoporosis

Once the diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis has been made, there are several treatment options available to minimize the increased risk of fractures. In addition to certain lifestyle adjustments, which may include diet, exercise, certain supplements or hormone therapies, there are multiple medical treatment options that can halt the progression of bone weakening or even reverse its effects, which can lead to some degree of increased bone density. over time. These treatments are often discussed with a specialist such as an endocrinologist or rheumatologist, in consultation with the GP and possibly the gynaecologist, depending on the treatment option that is best available for the individual situation.

Several celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres And Sally Fieldhave publicly shared their diagnosis of osteoporosis. Field, who was 59 years old at the time of diagnosis, has worked to raise public awareness of the importance of early screening, diagnosis and treatment, even if a person has no symptoms or overt health problems. Fractures in older adults are a significant source of morbidity and mortality because these injuries can lead to other complications, including pneumonia, blood clots, and skin ulcers, due to requiring hospitalization and bed rest after an injury.

It is unclear whether Nancy Pelosi has underlying osteoporosis as a risk factor for her hip fracture. However, it is clear that such injuries must be addressed quickly to minimize further complications. But as with many unplanned hospital admissions after an injury, prevention is always the best medicine.