EFFECTIVENESS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN MAINTAINING THE FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY OF THE ELDERLY AFTER PROXIMAL FEMUR FRACTURE SURGERY

Abstract

Aging is a stage of life influenced by several factors and determinants, such as the decrease in physiological functions and physical capacities. The loss of strength, bone mass, flexibility, speed, reduced muscle mass and increased body fat makes the body more vulnerable to chronic diseases and health-related risks such as falls and fractures. Femur fractures are among the most frequent in the elderly population, and can be generated by a simple fall even from their own height, leading the elderly to suffer trauma. After suffering a femur fracture, the elderly experience a major change in their quality of life, as after this process they most often undergo surgical treatment, which leads to a drop in quality of life and functional independence. In this context, some diseases tend to arise from the long period of rehabilitation, which generates a drastic reduction in the physical and functional capacity of the elderly. Physiotherapeutic action, in general, is essential in the health of the elderly population, and becomes even more important after a fracture, specifically that of the femur, as it guarantees the resumption of their autonomy as soon as possible. This is a narrative bibliographic review in which the articles were accessed through databases published between 2011 and 2021. According to the study, it is concluded that physiotherapy has an important role in rehabilitation and also in the prevention of surgical complications , acting in the pre- and postoperative period of femur fractures, seeking the functionality of the elderly patient.