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A broken hip is a common injury, especially in elderly individuals. A "broken hip" and a "hip fracture" are the same thing! How does it happen? Hip fractures in the elderly are most often caused by a fall, usually a seemingly insignificant fall. This is often due to weakening of the bones otherwise known as osteoporosis. This is a condition that causes loss of bone mass; the composition of the bone is normal, but it is thinner than in normal individuals. With thinner, weaker bones, patients with osteoporosis are at much greater risk for developing a hip fracture from accidents such as falls. In younger patients with stronger bones, more common causes of a broken hip include high-energy injuries such as car accidents. Hip fractures can also be caused by bone weakened from tumour or infection, a problem called a pathological fracture. What is the treatment? Treatment of a hip fracture almost always requires surgery. Please read our disclaimer. |
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