What is a Hip Fracture/Break/Sprain?

Hip fractures, breaks, and sprains are common injuries necessitating prompt medical attention. Causes include motor vehicle accidents, sports accidents, and falls. Symptoms comprise pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and inability to stand or walk. Osteoporosis increases the risk of hip fractures or breaks, particularly affecting postmenopausal women.

Specialists diagnose these hip injuries and osteoporosis through medical history reviews, physical examinations, and x-rays. Treatment options for sprains and minor fractures/breaks include activity modification, immobilization, medications, physical therapy, and rest, ice, and elevation.

In some cases, surgery is required, such as open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), where a specialist realigns the bone using metal screws and a plate or rod. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in recovery, with bone healing occurring over several weeks, resulting in a strong, healthy bone.

Hip injuries are common. Hip fractures, breaks, and sprains are injuries that require immediate medical attention. Delaying a diagnosis can make an injury worse. Common causes of a hip fracture, break, and sprain are:

• Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs)
• Sports accidents
• Falls

Pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and inability to stand or walk are symptoms. Severe pain is usually associated with a hip fracture or break. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that increases the risk of a hip fracture or break. Osteoporosis is the weakening of bone. Age, body type, body mass, gender, genetics, and hormone levels play a role in the development of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women are most at risk.

Our specialists diagnose hip fractures, breaks, sprains, and osteoporosis. A medical history review analyzes osteoporosis risk factors. A physical examination determines what movements cause symptoms. X-rays show exactly where the hip is fractured or broken.

How is a Hip Fracture/Break/Sprain Treated?

Nonsurgical treatment options treat sprains and minor fractures and breaks. Treatment options include:

• Activity modification: Slowing down or stopping symptom causing activities.
• Immobilization: Crutches, a cane, a walker.
• Medications: Anti-inflammatory and pain medications.
• Physical therapy: Strengthening and stretching exercises.
• Rest, ice, and elevation: Inflammation and pain and take the weight off the hip.

Surgery may be required for some hip fractures and breaks. During an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, a specialist realigns the bone uses metal screws and a plate or rod to fixate it. Physical therapy is an important part of recovery. Bone healing takes place over the course of many weeks and a strong, healthy bone forms.