The hip joint plays a vital role in various movements performed by our lower body. It is a type of ball and socket joint that is formed by the femoral head and the pelvic bones. This structural formation helps the joint perform different rotational and other movements. Being one of the largest weight-bearing joints in our body, the hip joint fracture could be serious. It could occur in anyone including adults and the elderly but, the causes could be different.
Hip fractures could occur as a result of traumatic injuries like car crashes, sports injuries, and falls on hard ground. One of the frightening things about hip fractures is that they often require surgical intervention for treatment. Depending upon the severity, orthopedic implants and instruments like orthopedic screws, metal plates, or pins may be used. Besides this, partial or total hip replacement may be required in most cases.
In this article, our focus will be on discussing hip fractures in detail.
What Happens in Hip Fracture?
A hip fracture is a condition in which the upper portion of the thigh bone breaks. This is a painful condition, and it makes it difficult for the person to use the affected joint. If the break is severe, intense pain will be experienced plus, the affected person will become unable to put even a small amount of weight on the injured side.
Hip fractures are most commonly seen in the elderly because their bones become weak & brittle. Age-related bone deterioration is seen in everyone and that makes elderlies prone to several orthopedic problems. This is also the reason why broken hip conditions are most reported in people above 50.
In some cases, the femoral head slips out of its socket while causing pain and deformity. The most severe hip fractures may require immediate surgery, or they could be life-threatening.
What Are the Causes of Hip Fractures?
The causes of hip fractures depend upon the age of the person. In young ones, a broken hip condition generally occurs due to a high-energy impact on solid ground or automobile accidents. Sometimes, sports accidents could also be the reason for hip fractures. On the other hand, the case is different in older people. In them, a fall and osteoporosis are two common causes of the condition.
Aged people tend to have brittle bones, and if they suffer from osteoporosis, bones become weaker and porous. Thus, a slight fall in them could be the reason for hip fractures.
How Hip Fractures Are Diagnosed?
A thorough examination of symptoms is the first step during the diagnosis of the condition as this is what gives the surgeon an idea about the diagnostic tests that need to be performed. Deformity around the affected area is what is first looked at by the surgeon to identify the severity of the condition. Imaging tests are always required to conclude anything about the fracture.
X-ray is always the first choice of surgeons to examine the severity and the location of the fracture. In most cases, an x-ray examination is enough to decide the best treatment procedure, but in case, if it fails to provide any solid evidence, MRI or bone scan may be performed.
How Hip Fractures are Treated?
The treatment of hip fractures solely depends upon the diagnosis. Surgery is recommended in maximum cases of hip fractures but the type of surgical intervention required will be decided by the surgeon. In non-serious or non-dislocated cases, the application of an orthopedic screw and/or plates could do the job. While on the other hand, when this method is not feasible, partial, or complete hip replacement surgery will be performed.
Replacement surgery is often suggested when the blood supply to the ball portion of the hip was interrupted during the fracture.
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