Hip Fracture

A hip fracture is an injury in the femur – the top area of the thighbone. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, and the point where your pelvic bone and thighbone meet. The ball part, or femur of your hip joint forms the head of the thighbone. The socket part is in your pelvic bone, called the acetabulum. There can be several reasons for a hip fracture, and it is a serious condition that demands immediate medical attention.

Mostly, hip fractures occur in people above the age of 60, and the risk increases with growing age. Osteoporosis is also a common reason.

Causes

• Osteoporosis
• Fall from height
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Metastasis (Cancer)

Symptoms

• Unbearable pain in hip/groin
• Not able to walk or get up after a fall
• Swelling and bruising around the hip area
• Inability to put pressure on the side of a hip injury
• Leg on the affected side of hip turning outward

Diagnosis

• CT-Scan
• X-rays
• MRI

Treatment

The combination of treatments suggested for a hip fracture includes surgery, rehabilitation and proper medication.

Surgery: The kind of surgery for treating a hip fracture depends on how severe the condition is, your age, other health conditions, and whether there’s bone displacement.

The common surgery options include:

Internal repair: In this process, the surgeon inserts metal screws into the fractured bone to hold it in position during the healing period. At times, the screws are connected to a metal plate running down the femur.

Total hip replacement: In this process, the socket in the pelvic bone and the upper femur are replaced with a prosthesis. Over the years, total hip replacement has become more popular and cost-effective. It gives long-term outcomes in adults.

Partial hip replacement: In the case when the end of the fractured bone are damaged or displaced, the orthopedist may try removing the neck and head of the femur and add a metal replacement. This process is recommended for adults with cognitive impairment or underlying health conditions or the ones who are not living independently.

Post-surgery, your orthopedist will advise rehabilitation and prescribe some pain relievers to control the pain and inflammation.

Book an appointment for a detailed diagnosis and treatment plan for your fractured hip.