phone | 702-228-7355
phone | 702-228-7355
Hip fracture is a break in the femur (thigh bone) of the hip joint. Joints are areas where two or more bones meet. The hip joint is a "ball and socket" joint where the femur meets the pelvic bone. The ball part of the hip joint is the head of the femur, and the socket is a cup-like structure in the pelvic bone called the acetabulum. Hip fracture is a serious injury and requires immediate medical attention.
A fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone. There can be either a single break or multiple breaks in a bone. A hip fracture is classified by the specific area of the break and the type of break(s) in the bone.
The most common types of hip fractures are:
About 90 percent of hip fractures happen to people over age 60. The incidence of hip fractures increases with age, doubling for each decade after age 50. Caucasians are affected two to three times more often than non-Caucasians primarily because of a higher rate of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis (loss of bone tissue) is a disease that weakens bones. Women are more prone to osteoporosis than men; therefore, hip fracture is more common among women. They experience about 89 percent of all hip fractures. More than 1.5 million Americans have fractures annually because of osteoporosis.
The number of hip fractures in the US is the highest in the world with approximately 270,000 occurrences each year. In 2003, there were about 345,000 hospitalizations for hip fractures. It is estimated that the number could exceed 500,000 by the year 2040.
People who sustain a hip fracture are more likely to die than a person of the same age who does not experience this injury. About 20 percent of people who have a hip fracture die within a year of their injury. It is estimated that only one in four persons have a total recovery from a hip fracture.
Most people spend from 2-3 days to one week in the hospital after a hip fracture. The recovery period may be lengthy, and may include admission to a rehabilitation facility. People who previously were able to live independently will generally need help from home caregivers, family, or may require the services of a long-term care facility. Hip fractures can result in a loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and depression, especially in older people.
A fall is the most common reason for a hip fracture among the elderly. A small percentage of people may have a hip fracture occur spontaneously. In younger people, a hip fracture is generally the result of a car accident, a fall from a great height, or severe trauma.
Hip fracture is more common in older people because bones become thinner and weaker from calcium loss as a person ages, generally due to osteoporosis. Bones affected by osteoporosis are more likely to break if a person falls. Most hip fractures sustained by older people occur as a result of falling while walking on a level surface, often at home. As they get older, women lose 30 percent to 50 percent of their bone density (thickness). The loss of bone speeds up dramatically after menopause because women produce less estrogen. Estrogen contributes to maintaining bone density and strength.
Risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, diet, family history, or many other things. Different diseases have different risk factors. Although these factors can increase a person's risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. For example, some people with one or more risk factors for a certain disease or condition never develop it, while others develop the disease orcondition and have no known risk factors. Knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of hip fracture. Age is also a major risk factor. Other possible risk factors for hip fracture may include, but are not limited to, the following:
There may be other risks depending upon your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your physician.
The following are the most common symptoms of a hip fracture. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of hip fracture may resemble other medical conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for hip fracture may include an x-ray which is a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
Specific treatment for hip fracture will be determined by your physician based on:
A fracture of the hip is generally treated with surgery. Your physician may use metal devices to strengthen and stabilize the joint. In some situations, a total hip replacement may be performed. The type of surgical repair will depend upon the type of hip fracture. The physician will determine the best procedure for a person, based on the individual's situation.
The goal of treatment is to provide relief from pain and resume your normal activity level. Hip surgery usually requires an in-hospital stay. While in the hospital, physical therapy exercises are started to regain range of motion and strength in the hip. Physical therapy will continue at home or on admission to a rehabilitation facility.
Serious complications can result from a hip fracture. A patient may have to remain in traction for a specified period of time after surgery. Blood clots can occur in the veins, usually in the legs. If a clot breaks off, it can travel to a blood vessel in the lung. This blockage, called a pulmonary embolism, can be fatal.
Other complications can include:
With some fractures, blood cannot circulate properly to the femoral head, resulting in a loss of blood supply to this area. This is called femoral vascular necrosis or avascular necrosis. This complication may occur depending on the type of fracture and the anatomy of a person's blood supply to the head of the femur bone. This is more common with femoral neck fractures.
Preventing a hip fracture is more desirable than treating one. Preventive measures include taking in enough calcium every day. For women past menopause and not taking estrogen, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends 1,500 milligrams (mg) daily. For those taking estrogen, the recommendation is 1,000 mg. Middle-aged men should take 1,000 mg daily.
Women at menopause should consider having a bone density test. A bone density test is used to measure the bone mineral content and thickness of the bone. This measurement can indicate decreased bone mass, a condition in which bones are more brittle and more prone to break or fracture easily. A bone density test is used primarily to diagnose osteoporosis and to determine fracture risk.
Women, who sustain the majority of hip fractures, produce less estrogen when menopause begins. Most people do not know they have osteoporosis until they sustain a fracture. Another way to help prevent hip fracture is to engage in regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, or hiking. Exercise programs such as Tai Chi help promote strength and balance. Other preventive measures may include:
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