A hip fracture is a break in the upper portion of the femur. Most hip fractures occur in elderly patients whose bones have become weakened by osteoporosis.

Hip fractures can be very painful. For this reason, surgical treatment is recommended. Treating the fracture and getting the patient out of bed as soon as possible will help prevent medical complications such as bed sores, blood clots, and pneumonia. In very old patients, prolonged bed rest can also lead to disorientation, which makes rehabilitation and recovery much more difficult.

  • Femoral neck. The area of the femur below the ball
  • Intertrochanteric area. The area below the neck of the femur and above the long part or shaft of the femur
  • Subtrochanteric area.
  • Femoral head.

Most hip fractures require surgical treatment within 1 to 2 days of injury. Only a very small group of nondisplaced fractures in healthy patients can be treated without surgery

hip fracture

Normal hip anatomy