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Hip fractures and depression quicken frailty in the elderly

Older people are more likely to suffer a fall and with an ageing population, hip fractures are a growing issue. And new research suggests that the impact of a fall may speed up frailty. The factors influencing recovery after a hip fracture are poorly understood, but we now know that depression is common and is associated with increased risk of infections and an inability to regain previous levels of physical functioning.

University of Birmingham Aston Webb building

Older people are more likely to suffer a fall and with an ageing population, hip fractures are a growing issue. And new research suggests that the impact of a fall may speed up frailty.

Dr Anna Phillips

The factors influencing recovery after a hip fracture are poorly understood, but we now know that depression is common and is associated with increased risk of infections and an inability to regain previous levels of physical functioning.

See Dr Anna Phillips' article on The Conversation website