Among the elderly, hip fractures are more common than spinal fractures, with a more even sex distribution. Weak, osteoporotic bone is slow to heal after surgical repair of the fracture and acute complications can follow, including pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and depression. Aggressive physical therapy, often difficult for an elderly patient, may be necessary to overcome the consequences of prolonged bed rest. As a result, most patients fail to recover their full range of activity. While other fractures, such as that of the distal forearm bone, may be less traumatic, they still result in the loss of the use of the extremity for a certain period of time, limiting the individual's ability to function normally.
All fractures promote a fear of additional falls and injuries and the loss of independent living.