As many as 300,000 people a year suffer from a broken hip. This is an especially common injury among the elderly population. For many people, postoperative problems result in death shortly after hip replacement surgery. Many of these postoperative complication, are a result of preoperative conditions.
As a caregiver there are special elements to consider when working with clients who have recently suffered a broken hip, as well as ways to help increase the survival rate in those who have not suffered a break, but are prone to.
Many people who are recovering from a broken hip choose home care, as opposed to recovering in a hospital. Caregivers should educate themselves on the warning signs of postoperative complications associated with hip replacement surgery.
One of the most dangerous postoperative conditions found in studies was congestive heart failure. While there is no way to truly prepare for the onset of congestive heart failure, helping the client maintain a healthy diet, and keeping an eye on any changes in blood pressure, can help a caregiver see the signs of trouble soon enough to inform doctors, who can then take action.
The second most common complication that caregivers will likely encounter is chest infection. Should the caregiver notice their client develop symptoms like bronchitis, or pneumonia, a doctor should be notified immediately.
Studies have shown that the best way to avoid postoperative complications with hip replacements, is to make sure that the patient has a healthy style of living before the accident. People who receive home care are often much healthier, due to the caregiver helping maintain diet, and workout schedules. These people are also less susceptible to slip and fall accidents, the leading cause of broken hips, because caregivers go through great pains to make the home a safer environment for their client.
The causes for most postoperative complications, were preexisting conditions that had gone unaddressed, and poor overall health in the person suffering the break. Home care can not only help protect loved ones by reducing the chance of a break, but can also help the client maintain a healthier lifestyle prior to a break. Following hip replacement surgery a caregiver is in a prime spot to help catch any kinds of postoperative complications early, and seek the proper treatment for their client.