Hip fractures are serious injuries with life-threatening complications, especially in older individuals, due to osteoporosis, multiple medications, poor vision, and balance issues. They often require surgical repair or replacement, followed by physical therapy. Maintaining bone density and avoiding falls can help prevent hip fractures. A broken hip joint can cause severe pain, difficulty in walking, stiffness, swelling, and bruising and may prevent immediate movement after falling. Seeking medical attention is crucial for preventing such injuries.

Walking with a broken hip can be challenging for the following reasons:

• Pain: 
  • A broken hip joint is often extremely painful, making it difficult to walk or bear weight on the affected leg.
• Swelling and bruising:
  • Swelling and bruising around the hip area can exacerbate mobility issues and make walking uncomfortable.
• Instability:
  • A hip fracture can cause hip joint instability, making it difficult to maintain balance and bear weight on the injured side.
• Limited range of motion:
  • A hip joint fracture can limit the range of motion during walking, making walking less fluid and more challenging.
• Muscle weakness:
  • Hip fractures can cause disuse and pain in the hip muscles, leading to weakened and impaired walking abilities.
• Mobility aids: 
  • The severity of a hip fracture may necessitate the use of mobility aids such as crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair for assistance with walking.
• Leg shortening:
  • The injured leg may appear shorter than the non-injured leg, particularly if the fracture caused displacement or misalignment of the bones.
• Leg outward rotation:
  • The leg may turn outward due to the displacement of broken bones.
• Numbness or tingling: 
  • Some individuals may experience numbness or tingling in their affected leg or foot due to nerve compression or damage.
• Inability to lift leg:
  • Limited or painful movement of the hip joint and leg, such as difficulty raising or moving it in different directions.
• Tenderness and sensitivity:
  • The hip area may feel tender and sensitive to pressure, causing discomfort or sensitivity.
• Surgery and rehabilitation:
  • Hip fractures often necessitate surgical intervention, followed by physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility, which can take weeks to months.

Prompt medical attention is crucial for hip fractures, as early intervention can improve outcomes and facilitate a faster return to normal walking and mobility. Severe fractures may cause long-term mobility issues or require assistive devices. Rehabilitation and physical therapy are essential for recovery, optimizing walking ability and restoring strength and function in the affected hip joint.

Causes for a fractured hip joint:

Hip fractures can occur due to traumatic events or medical conditions, with causes and mechanisms categorized as follows:

• Trauma: Hip fractures are common in older individuals with weaker bones, often resulting from traumatic events, including common causes such as falls.
  • Falls: Hip fractures are a common issue in older adults, often caused by slips and falls on slippery surfaces, uneven terrain, or balance loss.

• Motor vehicle accidents: High-impact car or pedestrian accidents can result in hip fractures.
• Sports injuries: High-impact sports or accidents during sports activities can lead to hip fractures.
• Direct blows: A hip fracture can result from a severe blow from a collision or fall.

• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened, brittle bones, increases the risk of fractures, including hip fractures, even in individuals with minimal trauma.
• Overuse and stress fractures: High-impact athletes and individuals may experience hip stress fractures due to repetitive use and overexertion.
• Pathological fractures: Hip fractures can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as bone cancer, infections, or metabolic disorders, which weaken the hip bone.

Hip fractures can occur suddenly or develop over time due to chronic medical conditions, such as osteoporosis. They are more common in older adults, particularly those over 65, due to age-related bone changes and increased fall risks. Preventive measures, such as chronic illnesses, lowering the risk of falls, and preserving bone density, can help reduce the risk of hip fractures, especially in older populations.

Recovery time for broken hip:

The recovery time for a broken hip varies based on the surgery type, fracture extent, and individual’s age, health, and mobility. It may take 10-12 weeks for the bone to heal and 6-9 months for functional regain.

To recover from a broken hip, consult your healthcare team, including surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, who can assist with pain management, wound care, infection prevention, nutrition, hydration, mobility, and exercise tips to enhance strength, balance, and range of motion.

Some self-care measures that can help you during your recovery are:

• Avoid putting too much weight or pressure on your injured hip. Use an assistive device such as a walker or cane as instructed by your therapist.
• Follow the precautions given by your surgeon to prevent the dislocation of your hip implant or hardware. These may include avoiding crossing your legs, bending your hip more than 90 degrees, or twisting your hip.
• Keep your wound clean and dry. Change your dressing as directed by your nurse. A fever, pus, redness, swelling, or warmth are all indicators of infection.
• Take your medications as prescribed. Never reduce or alter your dosage without first talking to your physician.
•  Tell your doctor about any side effects or allergies you may have.
• Eat a balanced diet that includes enough protein, calcium, and vitamin D to support bone healing. To stay hydrated and avoid constipation, consume a lot of liquids.
• Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Smoking increases the chance of problems and slows down bone repair.
• Until your doctor certifies that driving is safe, avoid driving. You may need to wait until you can move your leg without pain and have enough strength and reflexes to operate the pedals.
• Seek emotional support from your family, friends, or a counsellor if you feel depressed, anxious, or isolated. A hip fracture can be a traumatic and life-changing event that can affect your mental health.

The recovery from a broken hip can be a challenging process, but with proper care and guidance, the chances of a positive outcome can be increased. 

About Dr Anjani Kumar

As an orthopaedic surgeon in Hyderabad, I try to provide patients with as many options as possible for hip and knee treatments to help each patient have the greatest results. I carefully consider the specific sorts of injuries and need to be comfortable offering a specialised solution before recommending the best course of therapy for each patient. My patients’ enhanced mobility and pain reduction are always my top priorities, as these will enable them to resume an active lifestyle. In more severe cases, especially when the joint has collapsed, or the bone has suffered extensive deformation, knee replacement surgery may be advised.

Knee replacement surgery may be recommended in advanced cases, especially if the joint has collapsed or the bone has become severely deformed.

Dr. Anjani Kumar has 20 years of experience and successfully performed 2000 knee replacement surgeries, 350 hip replacement surgeries, and 500 pelvic acetabular surgeries throughout his career. Please get in touch with us on Mobile: at +91 9989112411 and by E-mail: anjanikumar@ gmail.com.