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What is a broken hip?
What is a hip fracture?
What happens if you break your hip?
How do you prevent a hip fracture?
Sep 13, 2023 · 3 min read. A hip fracture is a break in the top quarter of the thighbone, which is also called the femur. It can happen for lots of reasons and in many ways. Falls -- especially those to the...
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- Symptoms
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•Overview
•Symptoms
•Causes
•Risk factors
•Complications
•Prevention
Signs and symptoms of a hip fracture include:
•Inability to get up from a fall or to walk
•Severe pain in the hip or groin
•Inability to put weight on the leg on the side of the injured hip
•Bruising and swelling in and around the hip area
•Shorter leg on the side of the injured hip
A severe impact, such as a car crash, can cause hip fractures in people of all ages. In older adults, a hip fracture is most often a result of a fall from a standing height. In people with very weak bones, a hip fracture can occur simply by standing on the leg and twisting.
Your age and sex
Bone density and muscle mass tend to decrease with age. Older people can also have problems with vision and balance, which can increase the risk of falling. Hip fractures occur in women about three times more often than they do in men. Women lose bone density faster than men do, in part because the drop in estrogen levels that occurs with menopause accelerates bone loss. However, men also can develop dangerously low levels of bone density.
Medical conditions
The risk of hip fracture can be increased if you have:
Certain medications
Cortisone medications, such as prednisone, can weaken bones if taken long-term. Certain drugs or certain combinations of medications can cause dizziness, which can increase the risk of falling. The most common drugs associated with falls include sleep medications, antipsychotics and sedatives.
A hip fracture can reduce independence and sometimes shorten life. About half the people who have a hip fracture aren't able to regain the ability to live independently.
When hip fractures prevent movement for a long time, complications can include:
•Blood clots in the legs or lungs
•Bedsores
•Pneumonia
•Further loss of muscle mass, increasing the risk of falls and injuries
Healthy lifestyle choices in early adulthood build a higher peak bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later years. The same measures adopted at any age might lower the risk of falls and improve overall health.
To avoid falls and to maintain healthy bone:
•Get enough calcium and vitamin D. In general, men and women age 50 and older should consume 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day, and 600 international units of vitamin D a day.
•Exercise to strengthen bones and improve balance. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, help maintain peak bone density. Exercise also increases overall strength, decreasing the risk of falling. Balance training also is important to reduce the risk of falls since balance tends to deteriorate with age.
•Avoid smoking or excessive drinking. Tobacco and alcohol use can reduce bone density. Drinking too much alcohol can also impair balance and increase the risk of falling.
•Assess the home for hazards. Remove throw rugs, keep electrical cords against the wall, and clear excess furniture and anything else that could trip people. Make sure all rooms and passageways are well lit.
•A Book: Mayo Clinic on Osteoporosis
•Assisted Walking and Mobility Options at Mayo Clinic Store
•Bath Assistance Products at Mayo Clinic Store
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Jan 21, 2021 · A hip fracture happens when the upper part of the thighbone (femur) breaks. The injury usually results from a fall or car accident. Hip fractures are more common in older people because bones weaken and become more brittle with age. Most hip fractures cause severe pain and require surgery immediately.
Sep 29, 2018 · Types. Causes. Risk factors. Symptoms. Diagnosis. Treatment. Outlook. About the hip. The top of your femur and part of your pelvic bone meet to form your hip. A broken hip is usually a...
Jan 29, 2023 · This article explains how a hip fracture increases the risk of mortality and the various factors that place an older adult at risk of death following a broken hip. Incidence of Hip Fractures Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths in adults over 65.
Oct 12, 2023 · Print. Table of Contents. Surgical Recovery. Optimal Recovery From Hip Fractures. Chances of Broken Hip Recovery. Broken Hip Recovery Time. Broken hip recovery can take a full year. During that time, pain from a hip fracture usually lessens after four to six weeks. It can take 12 weeks for the bone to fully mend.
Apr 17, 2024 · Hip fractures are cracks in the top of the thigh bone (femur) where it meets the pelvis socket to form the hip joint. Risk factors include older age and female gender. What is a hip fracture? Hip fractures are cracks in the top of the thigh bone (femur) near where it meets the pelvis socket (acetabulum) to form the hip joint.
