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How do the elderly become a high-risk group for "hanging fractures"? Data reveals that 60% of fractures come from an unknown cause!
In the medical field, "Hangman's fracture" refers to a fracture of both pedicles of the second cervical vertebra (C2). This fracture often occurs in older adults, especially those aged 65 to 84, making them a high-risk group that requires special attention.
According to the Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ), the group at highest risk for C2 fractures is older adults aged 65-84, with 61% of fractures resulting from falls and 21% from motor vehicle accidents.
Tens of thousands of elderly people are injured every year due to accidental falls, a considerable number of which result in cervical fractures. The risk of such injuries is particularly high in urban areas. At the same time, data show that the incidence of hanging fractures in women is slightly higher than that in men, accounting for 54.45% and 45.38% respectively.
Mechanisms of this fracture
The main cause of hanging fractures is a strong overextension of the neck, which is common in accidents such as car crashes and falls. In judicial executions, the overextension of the neck caused by hanging a rope below the neck after falling can also cause this type of fracture. Unfortunately, however, despite the high mortality rate of this fracture, patients usually survive with minimal symptoms, and many people may not even realize that they have a fracture in their daily lives.
Hanging fractures account for approximately 19% of all vertebral fractures, and C2 fractures account for 55% of patients with head injuries.
Preventing fractures caused by hanging
To reduce the risks faced by older people, accident prevention is key. When driving, the elderly should make sure to use seat belts to avoid neck injuries caused by collisions. In addition, when playing contact sports such as rugby or football, care must be taken to avoid accidental collisions, otherwise serious physical injury will inevitably occur.
Treatment methods
There are two types of treatment for hanging fractures: non-surgical and surgical. Research on surgery shows that patients after surgery can not only improve their quality of life but also avoid the occurrence of various complications. Statistics also show that surgery-related mortality is not high and most patients can recover normally.
According to research, surgical treatment has a high success rate and significantly improves the patient's subsequent quality of life.
Social Background and Statistics
According to 2010 data, C2 fractures resulted in 12,532 hospitalizations in the United States, a staggering 250% increase from 4,875 in 2000. From an economic perspective, the average medical cost of treating such fractures increased from $24,771 in 2000 to $59,939 in 2010, demonstrating a significant medical burden.
As they age, the risk of fractures faced by the elderly increases. Should we pay attention to the potential risks of fractures and take effective preventive measures for this group?
