Battered granny or spontaneous fractures? A legal dilemma. Issue 840 (October 1995)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Connolly, V.; McConnell, A. A.; McGarrity, G.
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 71:Issue 840(1995)
• Page Start: 630
• Page End: 632
• Publication Date: 1995-10
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.71.840.630
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : A 70-year-old woman was admitted from a local nursing home with extensive bruising and bilateral hip discomfort. The referring doctor had reported the possibility of elder abuse to the police. Full examination showed that osteomalacia, precipitated by a poor diet and lack of exposure to sunlight, was sufficient to explain the patient's condition. Caution is recommended in diagnosing elder abuse until other possibilities have been excluded.