“Is hip surgery advisable for an 80 year old?”
My grandfather is 80 years old. He fell and is due for a surgery for fracture. Is it advisable? I am very nervous for him.
7 Answers
If the heart doctor says he is ok for surgery then he must have it. Death rates are LOWER in old people who have their hips surgically repaired than those who are treated without surgery.
Yes a hip surgery and preferably in the first 72 hours is needed to improve chances of survival after a hip fracture otherwise staying in bed will expose him to possible pneumonia, bed sores and blood clots.
Hip surgery is common in 80-year-olds especially if they have a fracture that needs treatment. Studies show that rapid treatment including surgery and therapy actually prolong life span. If it's a pain from arthritis it's a different matter. If they are alert and very functional then a hip replacement is very reasonable even if there 80 or 90 years old. If they have mental condition Alzheimer's then they may not have a positive response.
HIp surgery can be a frightening prospect in an 80 year old. Surgeons don't look for an octogenarian to add to the operating schedule. Unfortunately, when a patient breaks a hip, the best option is surgery. The complications of non-surgical treatment including blood clots, pneumonia, and limited mobility are worse than the risks of surgery. Obviously, there is no crystal ball to determine the outcome, but non-surgical treatment for hip fractures generally yield worse outcomes.
It is advisable. Need to get him out of bed and moving
Nabil A Ebraheim
Orthopedist
If surgery is necessary, it is advisable. There is no age limit on whether or not you can perform surgery, it depends more on the overall health of the individual.
If the patient is in good health and has been cleared for surgery, an 80-year-old can have surgery. But it depends on the patient's activity level before the fracture; if minimal to no weight-bearing before, then probably not advisable.
