Potential complications following a hip fracture

Mortality

Sadly, some people who have suffered a hip fracture will experience a significant deterioration in their health and, in severe cases, may not survive. In view of this an opportunity may be taken to discuss advanced care planning and what should happen if you become very unwell. We would like to support patients and their families during this time so please do communicate any wishes you have with the ward team.

Delirium

Delirium is a common side-effect of surgery and causes difficulty in focusing attention and remembering people and things. This can be due to a combination of factors such as pain, medications, the anaesthetic and the operation, unfamiliar environment, and infection. In the majority of cases, this is a short-term condition but sometimes this might affect your memory over a longer period of time.

If you already suffer from memory problems, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, your symptoms might worsen after you break your hip.

Chest infection

Due to reduced mobility, you are at an increased risk of developing a chest infection or pneumonia. Getting out of bed the day after your operation will help to prevent this happening, along with following breathing exercises recommended by the therapists.

Wound infection

Leakage from the wound may occur in the first few days following surgery. Your wound will be monitored by the ward team, and if you do get an infection, it may need to be treated with antibiotics or further surgery.

Pressure sores

Due to you not being able to move very much, and potentially thin skin, there is an increased risk of developing pressures sores, most commonly on your heel or buttocks. It is very important that your position is changed regularly with support from the ward team. If you are in pain, please speak to staff, as they may need to plan additional pain relief.

Diarrhoea

This can occur due to medications upsetting the balance of your digestive system, especially if you are taking antibiotics.

Constipation

A combination of medications and reduced physical movement may result in constipation. You may need additional medicine (such as regular laxatives) to avoid this.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

If we cut ourselves, the blood can naturally form a clot to stop the bleeding. Sometimes an unwanted clot can form in a vein deep within the leg.

Symptoms of a DVT are pain, stiffness and aching in the calf or thigh, leg swelling and changes in skin colour.

Not being able to move around puts you at increased risk of developing a blood clot in your leg. We give you an elasticated stocking to wear, along with daily blood thinning injections to reduce the risk of DVT.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

A pulmonary embolism happens when part of a clot (from a DVT) breaks off and travels to the lungs, where it blocks the blood vessels. It can be very serious, and can be fatal if not treated.

Symptoms of a PE include sudden onset of breathing difficulties (even when resting) and chest pain (which may be worse when breathing in).

Just being unwell and in hospital can increase your risk but these are some of the specific risk factors for PE:

• Being over 60 years old
• Immobility (restricted movement)
• Surgery lasting longer than 60 minutes
• A previous history of DVT or PE in yourself or close family members
• Being overweight
• Having cancer
• Being medically unwell with heart failure, respiratory failure or an inflammatory bowel or joint problem
• Taking oral contraceptives containing oestrogen