Hips are a pair of heavy bone structures that connect the lower body to the spine. The hips are located on either side of the spine and are composed of bone, cartilage and connective tissue. The upper end of the hip bone is called the acetabulum, and the lower end is called the concha. The lower end of the hip bone is connected to the leg by a ligament, while the upper end is attached to the body by a tendon. Hips are essential for walking, running and performing various movements. One of the main functions of the hip is to support the body during standing and walking. In addition, the hip is where most internal organs and blood vessels are located.
What Is a Hip Fracture?
Injuries to the hip are very painful and can be fatal if not treated immediately. A hip fracture is an injury to the upper end of the hip bone caused by trauma or disease. A hip fracture is incurable; therefore, it's critical for medical professionals to treat a hip fracture as soon as possible.
Causes of a Hip Fracture
The condition that causes a hip fracture is called osteoporosis, which reduces bone strength and makes them brittle. Other causes of a hip fracture include falls from a height, automobile accidents, surgeries, sports injuries and arthritis.
Symptoms of a Hip Fracture
A hip fracture is an injury that causes painful conditions in both hips due to trauma or disease. The most common symptoms of a hip fracture include extreme pain in the lower part of the leg, numbness in the lower part of the leg and unexplained weight loss in the affected leg, swelling, bruising, and an inability to walk or even stand etc.
Risk Factors of a Hip Fracture
Age is a major factor! Also, while hip fracture can strike anyone, those who fall in the vulnerable group include the following:
Women
White people
Asian origin people
Hip Fracture Prevention
A hip fracture can be preventable if proper exercise and nutrition choices are made. Regular exercise reduces excessive weight gain which places additional stress on bones if done repeatedly without sufficient rest. Daily consumption of adequate amounts of protein, vitamins C and B12, calcium and iron also reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis. Additionally, avoiding alcohol consumption, smoking and eating sensationally increases the risk of osteoporosis as well as other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes mellitus.
Hip Fracture Diagnosis, Treatment & Recovery
An X-ray or MRI or CT scan shows that one or both hips have fractured and that there's also extra bone sticking out of both hips.
Hip Fracture Treatment
Hip fractures are largely treated with surgeries, either by strengthening & stabilizing the hip(s) with metal spacers or sometimes replacing entirely.
Hip Fracture Recovery
The recovery time for a hip fracture varies greatly based on how quickly medical professionals treat it and how much information patients can provide about their condition. A patient may need to stay in bed for several weeks after a hip fracture but can eventually perform most daily tasks without limitation. After several months, most patients can resume light physical activities such as walking or jogging. However, running is extremely dangerous after a hip fracture as it puts additional strain on an injured joint. If someone needs to perform heavy physical labor, they should enlist help from an occupational therapist to avoid further injuring their hips.
1Health Medical Center
To prevent a hip fracture, proper exercise and nutrition choices are crucial. Additionally, performing regular check-ups with your doctor helps you stay informed about your health so you can make informed health decisions regarding your weight control and health generally. Contact 1Health Medical Center for the most appropriate health assistance.