A hip fracture (also known as a broken hip) is a common injury, especially in elderly individuals with balance issues who are prone to falling. A hip fracture is a fracture, or break, in the femur -- the long bone running through the thigh -- near the hip joint.

What causes hip fractures?

High-energy injuries such as car accidents can cause hip fractures. However, hip fractures in the elderly are often caused by falling -- even if the fall was seemingly low energy or low impact.

As we age, bones gradually lose minerals and become less dense. Osteoporosis and the gradual loss of density weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to a hip fracture.

What does a broken hip feel like?

Hip fractures cause severe hip pain or groin pain, loss of mobility after the fall or accident, stiffness, bruising or swelling around the injured area, and the inability to hold one's own weight on the injured side.

If you experience any of these hip fracture symptoms or suspect that you have fractured your hip due to a fall or other accident, seek medical attention immediately. A broken hip is a serious injury, especially in elderly patients, and complications can be life-threatening.

How do I know if I have a hip fracture?

Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and an x-ray will confirm the fracture, also indicating the exact position of the fracture. Fractures typically occur in two areas along the femur:

• Femoral neck: Located in the upper portion of your femur, which is the ball portion of the ball-and-socket joint
• The intertrochanteric region: The part of your upper femur that protrudes outward

How are hip fractures treated?

Treatment of hip fractures usually include a combination of surgery, pain relief and bone density-enhancing medications, and rehabilitation with a physical therapist.

The type of surgery that you have typically depends on the type of fracture, the severity of the fracture, your age, and your general health.

Femoral neck fractures (hip stress fractures) can be surgically repaired by:

• Total hip replacement: Replacing your upper femur and the socket in your pelvic bone with prostheses. This procedure may be a good option if arthritis or a previous injury has damaged your joint. Learn more about total hip replacement procedures at Duke.

• Partial replacement of the femur: If the ends of the broken bone are not properly aligned or they are damaged, your doctor may remove the head and neck of the femur and replace them with a prosthesis.

• Metal screws: If the bone is still properly aligned after the fracture, metal screws may be inserted into the bone to hold it together while the fracture heals.

Intertrochanteric fractures can be surgically repaired by:

• Metal screws: Metal hip compression screws are inserted across the fracture. The screw is attached to a plate that runs alongside the femur. This plate is attached with other screws to stabilize the bone. As the bone heals, the screw allows the bone pieces to compress and grow together.

• Bone nail: An intramedullary (inside the bone) nail is placed down the shaft of your bone, and compression screws are then passed through the nail. The nail provides stability and enables the patient to better bear weight more safely.

If a surgical procedure is necessary, you and your doctor will work together to determine what method is best for you. Following surgery, you will participate in physical therapy to help minimize pain and ensure a complete recovery. 

Duke Orthopaedics treats broken hips at locations throughout North Carolina, including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Treatment Videos

Watch an educational video about treatments for hip fractures.