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Spontaneous insufficiency fractures of long bones in institutionalized elderly patients
Dmitry Manevich1, Shai Brill, Avital Hershkovitz
1Beit Rivka Geriatric Rehabilitation Center, Department D, Petach-Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Aim:
We report 3 cases of spontaneous insufficiency fracture of long bones, to promote awareness of this phenomenon to medical personnel dealing with long-term bedridden patients.
Methods:
Cases were analyzed in the light of a literature review.
Results:
Our patients were all women, who were severely debilitated and had been bedridden for prolonged periods of time. In all cases, conflicts arose between the patient's family and medical personnel.
Conclusions:
Spontaneous insufficiency fractures are rare, and occur mainly in the institutionalized elderly with a prolonged history of immobility. Caregivers should be made aware of this possible complication, as they are aware of bedsores, infections and organ failure, which may arise due to patients' debilitated condition.
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