BS, Dietetics and Nutrition
According to a recent study, as many as 300,000 people in the US sustain a hip fracture every year. The majority of these injuries occur in citizens over the age of 65, but car accidents, falls, and severe trauma have been known to cause hip fractures in younger people.
Treatment For A Hip Fracture
If you have suffered a hip fracture, treatment will usually involve surgery and a period of rehabilitation. If the injury only requires internal repair, surgeons will use a self-retaining surgical retractor to gain access to the bone, and then insert metal screws to hold it together.
If the hip needs to be replaced, they will use prostheses to replace the upper femur and socket in the pelvic bone – this tends to be more cost-effective and provides better long-term outcomes. For patients who do not live independently, doctors might decide on a partial hip replacement, meaning only the upper femur is replaced, and the socket is kept intact with screws.
After the surgery, the patient is put through a rehabilitation program to build movement and agility in the hip, along with medication.
Diagnosing A Hip Fracture
If you have gone to the hospital for a suspected hip fracture, the physicians will be using an X-ray to confirm what type of fracture it is. Healthcare facilities offering X-rays in Lake Hopatcong, NJ and elsewhere can provide advanced and reliable imaging, allowing for accurate diagnosis. Most occur in one of two locations – either the femoral neck, which is located in the upper portion of the femur, or the intertrochanteric region, which is further down the hip joint.
If they cannot find the source of the pain, your physician will order a bone scan or an MRI to search for a hairline fracture. They will also ask you how you sustained the injury, although, as you’re about to find out, causes for hip fractures can vastly differ.
Symptoms Of A Hip Fracture
While the injury is very serious – and even, in some cases, life-threatening – it is not always easy to self-diagnose. This is because, in older people over the age of 65, hip fractures can simply occur while standing on the leg or walking. In this case, the hip fracture has likely been caused by osteoporosis – a condition which lessens calcium and weakens bones, making them far more susceptible to breakage. Thyroid problems can also lead to weaker bones and intestinal disorders have also been known to reduce calcium and vitamin D in the body. For younger people, the body is generally subjected to heavy trauma in the lead-up to a hip fracture. In each case, however, the symptoms remain the same.
- You have severe pain in the hip or the groin
- You have lower back pain
- You find it difficult to get up or walk
- You find it difficult to place weight on the leg
- You have bruising and swelling in the affected area
- The leg of the injured hip is slightly outward turning
Serious complications can arise from a hip fracture, including blood clots and blockages. So if you are experiencing any of these symptoms – especially after a heavy fall or trauma – it’s crucial that you visit a physician as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
