BACKGROUND
Hip fractures are cracks or breaks in the top of the thigh bone (femur) close to the hip joint. They're usually caused by a fall or an injury to the side of the hip, but may occasionally be caused by a health condition, such as cancer that weakens the hip bone.1
Falls are very common among older people, especially in people aged 80 and over, who may have reduced vision or mobility and balance problems.1
Hip fractures are also more common in women, who are more likely to get osteoporosis, a condition which makes bones weak and fragile.1
Symptoms include pain, not being able to lift or move one or both legs, not being able to stand, one leg appearing shorter than the other and bruising and swelling around the hip.1
NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT
We all lose muscle as we age; on average 8% of muscle mass is lost per decade between the ages of 40 and 70, with 15% loss per decade after the age of 70.2,3
Loss of muscle is associated with increased rates of falls and fractures.4 Good nutrition, particularly adequate protein and energy intake, can help manage declines in muscle mass, strength and function.5
Other nutrients may also have an impact on muscle health, such as vitamin D and HMB.*6,7
The combination of nutrition and exercise is considered optimal for maintain muscle strength and function to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.5
PRODUCTS
Ensure Plus Advance
Formulated specifically for patients aged 65 years and over who have, or are at risk of, malnutrition, Ensure Plus Advance is the only high-protein oral nutritional supplement that contains additional vitamin D and calcium HMB.*†
Ensure Plus Advance has shown to significantly increase muscle strength and mobilisation rates and reduce wound healing time in older malnourished patients hospitalised due to hip fracture.8‡
* HMB: β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate.
† In the UK9
‡As shown in a randomised control trial to investigate the effects of a specialised ONS on older women ≥ 65 years who underwent surgery for hip fracture vs. standard postoperative nutrition. Muscle function was measured by handgrip strength.
Reference
1. NHS, 2019: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hip-fracture/ Accessed July 2020.
2. Baier S et al. J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2009;33(1):71-82; 2.
3. Flakoll P et al. Nutrition 2004;20(5):445-451; 3.
4. Mithal A et al. Osteoporos Int 2013:24(5):1555-1566.
5. Deutz NEP et al. Clin Nutr 2014;33(6):929-936.
6. National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE). Vitamin D deficiency in adults – management & prevention.https://cks.nice.org.uk/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-adults-treatment-and-prevention#!management Accessed July 2020.
7. Deutz NEP et al. JAMDA 2019;20:22-27.
8. Ekinci O et al. Nutr Clin Pract 2016;31(6):829-835.
9. MIMS June 2022
UK-N/A-2200362 | June 2022
