Hip Fracture

The most obvious hip fracture symptom is pain, but other signs can help you tell if someone might have a broken hip bone. Common signs and symptoms of a fractured hip include:

• Severe pain in the hip or groin

• Difference in leg length when lying down

• Foot and leg turned inward when lying down

• Inability to bear weight on the affected leg

Sometimes, an impending hip fracture reveals itself before the break even happens. If you experience significant groin pain that persists over several days, it could indicate weakening or cracking of the bone in advance of a hip break. Seek prompt medical attention for any new or severe hip or groin pain.

Trauma causes most hip fractures. This can include falling (especially falling sideways) or receiving a forceful blow to the side of the hip during a car crash or some other type of accident. People with severe osteoporosis can even break a hip simply by twisting the leg while walking or stepping off a curb wrong.

In addition to osteoporosis, cancer and some cancer therapies can weaken the femoral head tissue. Weakened bone tissue becomes more susceptible to hip fracture.

Anyone can break a hip, but some people face a higher risk than others. Common risk factors for hip fracture include:

• Age greater than 65

• Female gender

• Frail physical condition

• History of falls

• Osteoporosis

• Poor balance

The best way to reduce your risk of hip fracture is to reduce your risk of falling. Take these steps:

• Check your vision regularly to ensure you can see any obstacles in your path

• Engage in regular physical activity that increases balance and muscle tone

• Fall-proof your home, such as lighting walkways and removing trip hazards

• Review your medications with a doctor or pharmacist to see if any of them could make you dizzy and prone to falling

• Treat osteoporosis as directed by your doctor

• Use assistive devices like a cane or walker to compensate for poor balance or weak legs

Talk with your doctor to find out whether or not you need to take calcium or vitamin D supplements for osteoporosis and to evaluate your personal fall risk. Your doctor can help you develop a plan of action for keeping your hips healthy.

Some hip fractures do not warrant treatment. For instance, if a person is terminally ill and bed-bound, comfort measures may take the place of treatment.

A stable hip fracture sometimes can be treated with bed rest. In this case, the orthopedic surgeon will take periodic images of the hip joint to make sure the fracture does not become displaced.

For generally healthy, active people, however, the goal of hip fracture treatment is to surgically restore functionality to the joint while minimizing potential complications. Your doctor will develop a surgical plan with you based on your general health status, any underlying medical conditions, and personal preferences.

The most common types of surgery for hip fracture are:

• Pinning of the fracture with screws

• Partial or total hip replacement (arthroplasty)

Hip fracture recovery after surgery takes several months and requires your participation in physical therapy sessions. Many people go on to resume normal, active lives after recovering from hip surgery.

Any broken bone can become life threatening without medical attention because the break can become infected and lead to sepsis. Other potential complications of a broken hip include:

• Arthritis in the broken joint

• Hemorrhage; significant bleeding can accumulate within the pelvis

• Hip stiffness

• Infection

• Loss of independence, if a broken hip leaves you unable to live on your own

• Loss of mobility or sensation in the leg

You may also experience certain complications after having a hip surgically repaired. These include:

• Blood clots that can form in the legs and travel to the lungs or brain

• Nerve damage leading to loss of sensation or function of the leg

• Post-surgical infection of the wound or implant

• Unequal leg lengths that require use of a lift inside one shoe

Hip fractures can be painful and debilitating, but a skilled orthopedic surgeon often can get you back to regular life with minimal complications. Keep in mind that surgical complications are also possible. If your doctor recommends surgical hip fracture treatment, ask about the specific benefits of surgery compared to noninvasive treatment and monitoring.