Dual disabilities: when a stroke patient fractures a hip

The incidence of both hip fracture and stroke increases with age. With the increasing age of the United States population, it is expected that the orthopaedic nurse will be challenged to care for clients with the dual disabilities of hip fracture and stroke. This article discusses incidence of these disabilities, describes the pathophysiology of stroke, and uses a case study to outline specific nursing interventions for the patient with hip fracture and stroke.