Hip fracture

What is a hip fracture?

A hip fracture is a break in the femur bone.

Most hip fractures occur in one of two places in the femur:

  • Femoral neck: This area is located at the top of the femur.
  • Intertrochanteric region: This region is located slightly below the actual hip joint, in the area of the upper femur that projects outward.

A third type of hip fracture, called an ‘atypical fracture’, can occur. This type of hip fracture occurs in people who have been treated for a long period of time with drugs that increase bone density (bisphosphonates).

Prognosis of the disease

A hip fracture is a serious injury, with complications that can be life-threatening. The risk of hip fracture increases with age. In fact, it is one of the most common bone injuries among people 65 and older.

In addition, people who have had a hip fracture are at greater risk for weakened bones and more falls, which means a higher risk of another hip fracture.

Symptoms of a hip fracture

In general, the symptoms of a hip fracture are:

  • Severe pain in the hip or pelvic area.
  • Bruising and/or swelling in the hip area.
  • Inability to bear weight on the hip.
  • Difficulty walking.
  • The injured leg may appear shorter than the other leg and may be turned outward.

Hip fracture is one of the most common bone injuries among people age 65 and older.

Medical tests for a hip fracture

If at any time the patient suffers a fall and is unable to get up or stand, his or her doctor may take an X-ray of the hip to determine if he or she has a hip fracture.

Read Now 👉  Endoscopic lifting

If the X-ray test does not show a fracture, but the patient still has a lot of pain in the hip, the doctor may order an MRI or bone scan to look for a small injury.

What are the causes of hip fracture?

Most hip fractures in people with normal bone are the result of severe impacts, such as traffic accidents.

However, for the elderly and people with osteoporosis, the risk of suffering this type of fracture is high, due to the fragility of their bones. For these patients, a minor trauma or a fall may be enough to cause the injury.

Can it be prevented?

As a general rule, the prevention of hip fractures is based on avoiding blows and falls on the one hand, and on maintaining the strength of the bones in their best condition. In order to do so, the following aspects can be taken into account:

  • Perform moderate physical activity on a regular basis.
  • Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption.
  • Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D.
  • Sunbathing in moderation for at least 10 minutes a day, during the hours when there is less risk of sunburn.
  • Increase safety in the home, eliminating possible obstacles and objects that could cause a fall (carpets, cables, slippery floors, dark areas).
  • Take extreme precautions in sporting or risky activities.

Treatments for a hip fracture

Treatment usually involves surgery, using different types of techniques depending on the location and severity of the fracture, whether the broken bones are not aligned correctly (displaced fracture), the patient’s age and undiagnosed diseases.

  • Internal screw repair: Metal screws are inserted into the bone to hold it together while the fracture heals.
  • Special bone pins
  • Hip prostheses, total or partial.

Which specialist treats you?

Trauma specialists are experts in hip fractures.