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Hip Fractures: Serious Dangers for Kansas and Missouri Residents

Approximately 350,000 Americans require hospitalization for broken hips each year. Hip fractures are the most common broken bone reported in the United States. For Kansas City residents who are most at risk for hip fractures, the injury can be very dangerous.

Description

A hip fracture affects the femur, or thigh bone. The break usually occurs just below the hip joint. Hip fractures can be narrowed down into two different categories. Femoral neck fractures occur when a break separates the ball in the ball and socket joint from the femur. Intertrochanteric hip fractures happen below the femoral neck. Fractures can vary in severity; however, treatment almost always requires surgery.

Symptoms

Pain is the most common symptom of a broken hip. Weakness in the joint, including the inability to stand or bear weight on the hip is also a sign of a hip fracture. Large bruises around the hip can also form. Hip fracture patients may appear to have a shorter leg while lying on their backs. The foot may also to turn outward, rather than up.

Who is most at risk?

Mature adults, primarily slightly built Caucasian women over the age of 65, are at the highest risk for hip fractures, especially those who have bones weakened from osteoporosis. For osteoporosis patients, a slight fall may be enough to cause a broken hip. Certain other medical conditions, like arthritis, poor eyesight, difficulties with balance due to age and frailty, as well as dementia and Alzheimer's disease can elevate the risk of falling, and subsequently the risk of hip fracture for older persons. Certain medications that affect the patient's strength and coordination can add risk as well.

Hip fractures in younger patients occur most often after a high impact injury, such as a car wreck.

Treatment

Hip fractures usually require surgery and months of follow-up care. Femoral neck fractures often involve the placement of surgical pins to realign and adhere the hip bones back together. Intertrochanteric fractures call for the use of compression screws and a metal plate. Both types of surgery allow the patient to retain their hip joints without the use of a prosthetic joint.

Hip replacement surgery can come in two forms, partial and total replacement. Partial hip replacement utilizes a prosthetic metal ball in the original socket, secured with surgical cement. Partial hip replacements work well for more severe femoral neck fractures. Full hip replacement surgery replaces the hip socket and the head and neck of the femur. For hip joints already damaged by the presence of arthritis, total hip replacement may be necessary.

Recovery

Hip surgery requires immediate rehabilitation. Patients can expect to be on their feet, with the assistance of a walker, as soon as possible after surgery. With physical therapy and rehabilitation, healing may be complete in as little as twelve weeks.

Dangers

Hip fractures carry very grim statistics. Highest in older patients, the rate of death following a hip fracture is a staggering 25 percent. In other words, for patients over 50, one in four will die in the year following a broken hip. Patients over the age of 80 are most at risk. Only a third will regain the mobility they enjoyed prior to the break. Forty percent of patients over age 65 require a lengthy nursing home stay. Nearly half require the permanent use of a mobility aid.

Prevention

Taking steps to help prevent the development of osteoporosis may help reduce the incidence of hip fractures. Exercise and adequate nutrition, including calcium and Vitamin D, will help keep bones healthy and strong. At risk patients may also benefit from the use of a padded undergarment worn to protect the hip in case of a fall. Safety is important prevention factor. For older adults, installing safety bars in bathrooms, as well as the use of bed rails, may help reduce the risk.

Have you suffered a broken hip due to a slip and fall accident resulting from the negligence of another person? If you or a loved one have been injured and need answers about your rights, the Kansas City personal injury lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys offer a free consultation. Give them a call at 888-348-2616 to schedule a meeting.

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