

A hip fracture is a break of one of the bones that comprise the hip joint. A break of the top of the thigh bone (femur) results in a hip fracture. A break to the pelvic bone is less common and is not categorized as a hip fracture. Hip fractures are more common in women than men.
Hip fractures are more common in the elderly population as a result of weakening of the bones over time. If a hip fracture is found in a younger individual, it will likely be the result of a traumatic injury. The causes of a hip fracture are many and varied and can consist of the following:
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The symptoms of a hip fracture can range from mild to severe. If not promptly diagnosed and treated, hip fractures can lead to serious life-threatening complications. Hip fracture symptoms may include any or all of the following:
Treatment for a hip fracture will depend on an accurate diagnosis in order to determine the severity and type of the break. An accurate diagnosis will involve imaging techniques that can provide internal images of the hip joint. These can include X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. Generally, a fracture of the hip will require surgical intervention in order to correct the injury. The type and extent of surgery will be individual based on the specifics of your injury in order to place the fractured bone into proper positioning and allow healing to occur. After your surgery and when your surgeon is confident that enough healing has taken place, a course of physical therapy will be ordered to restore range of motion and strength of the hip.
In some cases, surgery will not be indicated. This will be the case of a fracture that is considered stable and your doctor is confident that it will be able to heal with conservative measures. In some elderly patients with other underlying conditions, surgery may not be a safe option. In this rare case, decreasing pain and improving function as much as possible will be the goal of treatment. In order to lessen the risk of a hip fracture, be mindful of these tips: