The elderly recognizing themselves as vulnerable to falls in the concreteness of the femoral fracture / El anciano reconociéndose vulnerable a caídas en la realidad de la fractura femoral / Idoso reconhecendo-se vulnerável a quedas na concretude da fratura do fêmur

ABSTRACT Objectives: understand the experience of the elderly with falls followed by femoral fracture and elaborate theoretical model of this process of lived experience. Method: qualitative research with theoretical saturation through analysis of the ninth nondirected interview of elderly who underwent such experience. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to Grounded Theory. Results: three categories emerged (sub-processes): evaluating signs and symptoms of fracture after the fall; feeling sad and insecure with the new condition; and finding oneself susceptible to fractures. From realignment of these categories (sub-processes) we could abstract the central category (process), recognizing oneself as vulnerable to falls in the concreteness of the fracture. Conclusion: the theoretical model considering the Symbolic Interactionism signals the implementation of continued program for fall prevention, with teaching strategies that encourage the elderly to reflect on the concreteness of contexts in which there is risk of occurring injury to their health.

RESUMEN: Objetivos conocer la experiencia de ancianos con caídas seguidas por las fracturas del fémur y elaborar un modelo teórico de la experiencia de este proceso. Método: investigación cualitativa con la saturación teórica, mediante el análisis de la novena entrevista no directiva de ancianos que experimentaron esta experiencia. Las entrevistas fueron audio grabadas, transcritas y analizadas según la Teoría Fundamentada en los Datos. Resultados: surgieron tres categorías (sub): la evaluación de los signos y síntomas de la fractura después de la caída; sentirse triste e inseguro con la nueva condición; y descubrirse susceptible a las fracturas. Después de la realineación de estas categorías (subproceso), fue posible abstraer la categoría central (proceso), reconociéndose vulnerable a caídas en la realidad de la fractura. Conclusión: el modelo teórico a la luz de la interacción simbólica señala la aplicación del programa continuo de prevención de caídas, con estrategias de enseñanza que fomentan los ancianos a reflexionar sobre los contextos concretos en los que existe un riesgo de daño a su salud.

RESUMO Objetivos: compreender a experiência de idosos com quedas seguidas de fraturas do fêmur e elaborar modelo teórico desse processo de vivência. Método: pesquisa qualitativa com saturação teórica mediante análise da nona entrevista não diretiva de idosos que vivenciaram tal experiência. As entrevistas foram audiogravadas, transcritas e analisadas segundo a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. Resultados: emergiram três categorias (subprocessos): avaliando sinais e sintomas de fratura após a queda; sentindo-se triste e inseguro com a nova condição; e descobrindo-se suscetível a fraturas. Do realinhamento dessas categorias (subprocessos), foi possível abstrair a categoria central (processo), reconhecendo-se vulnerável a quedas na concretude da fratura. Conclusão: o modelo teórico à luz do Interacionismo Simbólico sinaliza a implementação de programa continuado de prevenção de quedas, com estratégias de ensino que estimulem o idoso a refletir sobre a concretude de contextos nos quais haja risco de ocorrências do agravo à sua saúde.

Atypical Fracture of Femur: Likely Related to Long-term Bisphosphonate Use.

Bisphosphonates are widely prescribed and highly effective at limiting the bone loss that occurs in many disorders characterized by increased osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, including senile osteoporosis in both men and women. Although, they are generally well-tolerated, potential adverse effects may limit bisphosphonate use in some patients. Optimal use of bisphosphonates for osteoporosis requires adequate calcium and vitamin D intake before and during therapy. Long-term adverse effects of bisphosphonate therapy include osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical fractures of femur. We report a case of a 78-year-old man who presented with pain and inability to move the left thigh from 11 am on the day of admission. He was diagnosed to have transverse subtrochanteric fracture of the left femur with relatively thick cortex. He had been religiously taking alendronate (a bisphosphonates) 70 mg once a week along with calcium preparation (elemental calcium 500 mg with cholecalciferol 250 units twice-daily) for 5 years. With this background of a ‘chalk stick’ like transverse fracture of the subtrochanteric region of femur in an otherwise healthy elderly man, an ‘atypical fracture of femur’ from long-term use of bishphosphonates was the likely cause.