Hip Fractures: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thighbone, near where it meets the pelvis to form the hip joint. It is a serious injury that most often affects older adults, usually after a fall, and it almost always needs prompt medical care. The good news is that hip fractures are treatable. With timely surgery and a focused recovery plan, many people can get back on their feet and return to the activities that matter to them.

Recovering from a hip fracture takes the right surgical care followed by a strong rehabilitation plan. The board-certified and fellowship-trained hip specialists at Resurgens Orthopaedics treat hip fractures and guide recovery at locations across metro Atlanta, with on-site imaging, surgery and rehabilitation.

What Is a Hip Fracture?

A hip fracture is a break in the top of the femur, or thighbone, rather than in the socket of the pelvis. Where the break happens shapes how it is treated. The two most common types are a femoral neck fracture, which occurs just below the ball at the top of the thighbone, and an intertrochanteric fracture, which occurs a little lower, in the bony region below the neck. A femoral neck fracture can disrupt the blood supply to the head of the thighbone, which is one reason these breaks are sometimes treated with a joint replacement rather than a repair.

Not every hip fracture comes from a single dramatic injury. A hip stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bone caused by repetitive force over time, more common in runners and other endurance athletes. Because its pain can feel like a muscle strain or tendonitis, a stress fracture is easy to overlook, and it is worth having persistent hip or groin pain evaluated.

What Causes a Hip Fracture?

The cause of a hip fracture usually depends on a person’s age and bone health. Common causes and risk factors include:

Falls: The most common cause, especially in older adults, as falls account for most hip fracture hospitalizations
Osteoporosis: Weakened bone that can break even with a minor fall
Older Age: Declining bone density and balance over time
High-Energy Injury: A high-energy injury, such as a car accident, particularly in younger people
Repetitive Stress: Endurance activity that can lead to a hip stress fracture

Hip Fracture Symptoms

The symptoms of a hip fracture from a fall or injury usually come on suddenly and are hard to miss. Common signs include:

Severe Pain: Pain in the hip or groin
Inability to Bear Weight: Being unable to stand or put weight on the leg
Leg Position Changes: A leg that looks shorter or is turned outward on the injured side
Swelling and Bruising: Swelling, bruising or tenderness around the hip
Gradual Groin Ache: With a stress fracture, an ache in the groin that worsens with activity

Please Note: A hip fracture from a fall or accident is a medical emergency. If you or someone else cannot bear weight after a fall or has severe hip pain with the leg turned outward, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room rather than waiting for an appointment. Resurgens specialists provide the orthopedic and rehabilitation care that follows.

How a Hip Fracture Is Diagnosed

A hip fracture is usually diagnosed with a physical examination and imaging. After asking how the injury happened and checking the hip and leg, your physician will order an X-ray, which shows most hip fractures clearly. When a fracture is small or a stress fracture is suspected but does not show on an X-ray, an MRI can help reveal it.

Hip Fracture Treatment

Most hip fractures are treated with surgery, both to relieve pain and to let the patient get moving again as soon as possible, which is important for avoiding the complications that come with prolonged bed rest. A small number of stable, nondisplaced fractures can sometimes be managed without surgery. The type of surgery depends on where the fracture is, how the bone broke and the patient’s age and activity level.

Surgical Treatment

There are two main surgical approaches:

Fracture Repair: The surgeon realigns the bone and holds it together with screws, a plate or a rod, an approach often used for intertrochanteric fractures and many femoral neck fractures
Hip Replacement: The damaged part of the joint is replaced with an artificial one, often for displaced femoral neck fractures where the blood supply to the bone is at risk

Your surgeon will recommend the approach that gives your hip the best chance to heal and return to function.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery from a hip fracture centers on rehabilitation. Physical therapy usually begins soon after surgery, starting with gentle movement and progressing to exercises that rebuild strength, balance and the ability to walk safely. Getting moving early helps prevent complications such as blood clots, pneumonia and bed sores and supports a fuller recovery. Because many hip fractures are linked to weak bone, your physician may also recommend steps to protect bone health and lower the chance of another fracture.

Schedule an Appointment for Hip Care

If you are recovering from a hip fracture or have ongoing hip pain that needs a specialist’s attention, Resurgens can help. Book an appointment online today with Resurgens Orthopaedics or call us at (404) 847-9999.

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