What you should know about a hip fracture

• April 26, 2024

It is one of the most frequent bone lesions among people 65 years of age or older, although it can occur at any age. Hip fractures are more common in women due to the natural loss of bone mass (osteoporosis) and are usually caused by a fall.

When one of the hip bones (located near the top of the leg) is broken, the pain is unbearable and the victim may not be able to walk; It is likely that the bruised area bruises and swells. The leg that suffers the fracture is usually shorter than normal and the foot can be deflected outward. In a situation of this nature, immediately call the emergency services or your doctor. A simple x-ray can confirm the magnitude of a hip fracture.

Treatment for a hip fracture

Most people who suffer a hip fracture will have to undergo surgery to ensure that the leg heals properly. However, some people can not do it because of illness or ill health. If your doctor thinks that hip surgery is not right for you, he will probably suggest you undergo traction therapy that will keep you immobile for a long time. If you opt for surgery, it is important to start moving as soon as possible. In the beginning, it can be painful to walk and you may want to use a walker or a cane to help yourself. As part of your recovery therapy you will probably have to receive physiotherapy sessions in which you will learn how to sit, get up and walk without re-injuring your hip; He will also do exercises to help strengthen himself. When you return home after surgery, you may need help from a nurse or a family member because daily activities-such as bathing, cooking, and shopping-may be difficult for you to complete while you are not fully recovered.

Complications of a hip surgery

A hip fracture is a serious injury, but its complications can be even more serious or even cause death. If you remain immobile for a long period of time after surgery or after being subjected to traction therapy, you have the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, this is a blood clot in a deep vein inside the body, usually in the veins of the legs. If the blood clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream, it could block a vein in your lungs or brain, causing a pulmonary or cerebral embolism of fatal consequences. Other complications due to immobility after hip surgery may include pressure ulcers, pneumonia, progressive muscle atrophy, or urinary tract infections.

Video Medicine: How to Treat Hip Fractures (April 2024).