TUESDAY, Oct. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is recovering in a Georgia hospital after he broke his pelvis in a fall at his home on Monday night.
“He has been admitted to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center for observation and treatment of a minor pelvic fracture,” said a statement issued early Tuesday by The Carter Center. “He is in good spirits and is looking forward to recovering at home.”
One expert noted that pelvic fractures can be problematic in older people.
“They may cause sharp pain in the hip and groin, and affect gait and stability, predisposing to additional falls,” said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “It generally takes between six to 12 weeks to heal.”
“Complicated or severe pelvic fractures can also lead to internal bleeding or urologic injuries, which may require acute surgical intervention,” he noted. But simple pelvic fractures heal well with a short period of rest, early physical therapy and pain medications, he said.
“In the meantime, it’s advisable to rest for a few days after the fracture, but then begin supervised weightbearing using a walker,” Glatter added.
Carter was president from 1977 to 1981 and this year became the longest-living president at 95, The New York Times reported.
Earlier this month, Carter needed stitches above his eyebrow after falling at home. In May, he was treated for a broken hip after a fall at home. In December 2015, Carter announced he was cancer-free after treatment for melanoma that had spread to his brain, the newspaper reported.
On Oct. 17, the Carters became the longest-married presidential couple at 26,765 days and are “still going strong,” The Carter Center said.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about falls and fractures.
SOURCES: Robert Glatter, M.D., emergency medicine physician, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; The New York Times
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