In elder patients, what post-initial treatment should be monitored for after a hip fracture?

After a hip fracture in elderly patients, monitoring for thromboembolism is crucial due to the increased risk associated with surgery, immobility, and age. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) can occur after a hip fracture due to prolonged immobility during recovery and the trauma of surgery itself. The physiological changes in older adults further predispose them to clot formation, making it vital to monitor for symptoms such as sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling in the legs.

While infection, rehabilitation progress, and pain management are also important aspects of post-treatment care, they are not as acute a concern as thromboembolism in this context. Infection can be monitored, but it typically requires a longer time frame to develop post-surgery. Rehabilitation progress is essential for long-term recovery and maintaining mobility, yet its monitoring occurs over weeks to months rather than immediately following surgery, and pain management, while necessary, does not carry the same immediate risk of life-threatening complications as thromboembolism does. Therefore, the priority in the immediate post-initial treatment phase is to assess and manage the risk of thromboembolic events effectively.