Why is it harmful when elderly people fracture their hip?

High risk. Complic: Fractured hips don't allow pts to stand up and walk. Some times the fracture send fat into the bloodstream ( fat embolism) killing pt. Immobilization causes clots that go to the lungs and kill, or clots in the arteries ( strokes and heart attacks) also causes decubitus ulcers that get infected causing septicemia and death. Most elderly patients have comorbidities( other serious medical problems).

It just is: It used to be a death sentance to have a fractured hip, but we have come so far with rapid surgery, antibiotics abd anticoagulants, it is not so any more. This hold if you are rather healthy. As u add comorbidities your assume mor risk, if elderly means debilitated with many problems, there is a higher risk, but in my34 years of training and practice, i neber had a death from surgery.