With aging, drastic changes to the neuromusculoskeletal system causes gradual decrease in the speed and strength of the muscle contractions and muscle activities. Our body posture will be affected making us stoop and bend forward, our backbone will be bent, back pain will be felt, and our actions will be limited and awkward. Old age does not hinder us from performing our daily activities, but it will surely make it a drag and exhausting plight. Inactivity promotes further weakening of the musculoskeletal system, but old people usually decide to lessen their physical activities since they grow tired easily.The aging body with its brittle bones and weak muscles is easy prey to falls and fractures.That is why old people have a high susceptibility for fracture. Invasive and Non-invasive fracture interventions are available.

When there is a fracture, immediate care should be given first.Fracture is very painful that is why the main goal is to immobilize the affected limb or body part by splinting to control the bleeding and prevent further impeding of the broken bone fragments to the surrounding area. Avoid edematous distal segment from developing by elevating the affected part carefully.

The fracture will then be assessed by an orthopedic doctor and diagnostic tests such as an x-ray are done to diagnose the condition which aids the doctor in choosing the right fracture management. The surgeon has many options to choose from in treating the diagnosed fracture condition.There are non-invasive treatments such as casting and traction application for fracture.To treat fracture, reduction must be maintained, and immobilization and proper alignment of the affected part secured which will ensure right bone healing.

Upon inspection, doctors would often find some closed reduction cases wherein bone repair is progressing improperly that is why they would advise surgical management to be done to correct this. Invasive managements for fracture are Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) and Open Reduction and External Fixation (OREF). Major operations such as in ORIF involves potent anesthesia, sterile operating room environment, careful incision of the affected part and specific tools for internal fixation such as plates, screws, nails and the like.Pins are inserted through the skin and bone of the person making sure that they are placed at a spot far away from fractured area.The fracture management goal that is to reduce, align and repair bone fracture itself is successful made.

The high number of fracture cases among those who age above 50 only shows that old people really have high probability for fracture. But there are recent reports about people taking the bisphosphonate drug Fosamax claim they experienced femur fractures while doing low-energy activities such as walking and standing.  If you experienced this or if you know someone who had an incident like this, know that you can file a Fosamax fracture lawsuit to gain just compensation. Free consultation with an able Fosamax fracture lawyer is available free of charge and more information about filing Fosamax fracture lawsuit are found in Fosamax lawsuit sites. 

There are about 1,000 lawsuits filed against Fosamax manufacturer, Merck & Co., for Fosamax-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) suffered by users. Used by doctors to treat osteoporosis and othe degenerative bone diseases, Fosamax and other biphosphonates were found to cause ONJ and atypical femur bone fractureas. Rather than making bones sturdier and healthier, the drug hardens the bone making it more brittle and prone to breakage. Now, users of the drug are filing Fosamax lawsuits in response to this.

Still, there is yet another reason why biphosphonate users should worry. In October 2010, pharmaceutical manufacturer, Novartis sent out letters to Canadian doctors warning them that a drug they made which is very similar to Fosamax (alendronic acid or alendronate sodium), Reclast (zoledronic acid or zoledronate) could cause kidney problems among patients. About 265 reports were received by Novartis which first started in April 20, 2010. Biphosphonates, through tablet form, cannot be easily absorbed by the body which is why many doctors administer the drug through intravenous injections. By doing so, the kidney is stressed causing it to fail. In a single dose, the kidney could be damaged enough to require dialysis.

Even more alarming is that Novartis had not issued the same warning to American doctors. They were not informed that the drug, along with Fosamax, is contraindicated to patients who suffer from renal problems. This caused Public Citizen, a consumer watchdog group to beseech the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to request Novartis to send the same letter to American doctors.

With the increasing number of side effects these drugs cause, someone should be held accountable. It is clear that the manufacturers have not thoroughly tested their products thereby causing consumers to suffer from it. Now, thousands of people are suffering as a result of this negligence. If you have taken Fosamax for some time and is now experiencing health issues associated with it, you are eligible to receive compensation from Merck. For further information and updates, check out the Fosamax Fracture Lawsuit website.