Hip Fracture

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What is a Hip Fracture?

A broken hip (hip fracture) is a break in the thigh bone (femur), which forms a crucial part of the hip joint. These fractures can result from various factors, with age-related bone weakening (osteoporosis) being a leading cause among elderly individuals. Younger patients might experience hip fractures due to high-impact events like falls or accidents.

What does a Hip Fracture feel like? 

Hip fractures are typically accompanied by severe pain localised around the groin and upper thigh. This intense pain often prevents individuals from bearing weight on the affected leg, and movements can be agonising. Although they may retain the ability to move their ankle and toes, bearing any part of their body weight could still be challenging. While hip fractures are more prevalent among the elderly and those with osteoporosis, they can also occur due to trauma or accidents that cause intense force on the hip. 

What causes Hip Fractures?

Hip fractures typically result from various factors and situations, often involving accidents, falls, and underlying conditions. Here’s a closer look at the common causes and contributing factors:

Accidental Falls: A significant majority of hip fractures occur due to accidents that lead to falls. This risk is especially pronounced among the elderly or those dealing with conditions like osteoporosis, which weakens bones.
Spontaneous Fractures: In some cases, hip fractures can occur even without a fall, commonly referred to as spontaneous fractures. These fractures can happen during everyday activities like walking or standing, often affecting the femoral neck. Spontaneous fractures occur primarily in two distinct groups of patients: the very active young and the elderly.
Stress Fractures: People who engage in repetitive, high-impact activities while having an already weakened leg are at risk of developing stress fractures. This is commonly observed in activities such as running. Individuals taking medications for osteoporosis or engaging in intense physical workouts are particularly susceptible to stress fractures.
Traumatic Injuries: Severe trauma caused by extreme force, such as falls from great heights or traumatic accidents, can result in rare femur head fractures.

The most prevalent types of hip fractures include intertrochanteric and femoral neck fractures. While femur head fractures are less common, they can occur due to intense traumatic events such as falling from a great height.

What are the non-surgical options for Hip Fractures?  

The majority of hip fractures need to be surgically treated within 1 to 2 days of the injury. A small subset of nondisplaced fractures can be managed without surgical intervention, while another limited group of patients may not exhibit rapid enough recovery for surgical consideration. Some patients may require a period of stabilisation or improvement in their overall health before they can safely undergo surgery.

Non-surgical treatments often include the use of crutches for a variable period, which depends on the severity of the injury. This approach is suitable for patients who are unable to walk before surgery or those with serious medical complications. Notably, displacement fractures near the hip can present more challenges compared to non-displacement fractures. This is due to the involvement of connective tissues around the affected area, which play a crucial role in providing essential blood flow to the femur’s head. Without surgical intervention, these tissues may struggle to heal naturally.

What are the surgical options for Hip Fractures?  

In the event of hospital admission due to a hip fracture, certain preparatory steps are taken before proceeding to the operating theatre. Among these steps, ensuring your medical readiness for the procedure is of great importance. This entails comprehensive assessments, including blood pressure monitoring and thorough checks of lung, heart, and organ function.

After these initial evaluations, a brief waiting period is often recommended. This interval allows for the detection of any additional underlying issues that should be considered when devising the surgical plan. It is important to note that the treatment approach for a hip fracture is influenced by factors such as the type of fracture sustained, your age, and your overall health status.

Several types of hip fractures exist, and as such, each of these fracture types affects distinct parts of the hip structure, necessitating tailored repair approaches. These specifics will be thoroughly discussed during your appointment, and a precise understanding will be attained through the appropriate use of scans and x-rays. A personalised treatment plan will be carefully crafted to ensure the best possible outcome for your hip fracture.

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For further inquiries or to arrange a consultation, please contact Professor Al Muderis’ office at +61 2 88829011 or book an appointment online.