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What causes a hip fracture?

Most hip fractures happen after a fall or blow to the hip in people over 65 years of age, who often have more fragile bones that are more prone to fracturing. In younger people, hip fractures are usually caused by high-impact accidents, such as car collisions.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is a hip fracture?

A hip fracture is a break that occurs high up in the thigh bone (femur) near the hip joint. It is a serious and painful condition that requires immediate medical attention.

What are the symptoms of a hip fracture?

Most hip fractures happen after a fall or blow to the hip. Symptoms include severe pain around the hip and groin, bruising and swelling, not being able to stand on the injured leg or move or rotate it. The injured leg may appear shorter and tend to …

Who gets a hip fracture?

Most hip fractures happen to people over 65 years of age who have had a fall or blow to the hip. Women in this age group are more likely to have a hip fracture because they are more likely to fall and more likely to have weaker bones.

How is a hip fracture diagnosed?

Most hip fractures are diagnosed in hospital after a fall. Imaging tests such as an X-ray or CT scan are used to confirm the position of the fracture.

How is a hip fracture treated?

The first step in treatment for a hip fracture is to make sure the person is in a stable medical condition and to provide pain relief. Surgery is usually recommended to repair the hip and generally takes place within a day or so of the injury. Following …

Can a hip fracture be prevented?

There are many things people can do to prevent hip fractures. These include taking steps to keep your bones as strong as possible (such as good diet, weight bearing exercise and treatments for osteoporosis) and preventing falls.

Are there different types of a hip fracture?

Hip fractures may be described as intracapsular when the fracture occurs up in the head or neck of the thigh bone (femur), inside the joint capsule; or extracapsular, when the fracture occurs lower down, on the upper part of the shaft of the …

What is the outcome for a hip fracture?

Surgery can help many people recover from a hip fracture. However, not everyone recovers fully and some people may find that they are not as mobile as they were before their injury.

Is a hip fracture serious?

A hip fracture is a serious injury and requires immediate medical attention. Hip fractures can lead to frailty, loss of mobility and independence and an increased risk of death.

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About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 10 Jul 2015
Last reviewed: 14 May 2019
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Votes: 275 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Perthes disease

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