Broken hip

The hip joint is a so-called ball-and-socket joint consisting of a femoral head and an acetabulum (socket). In a ball-and-socket joint, the head rotates smoothly within the socket. In this case, the head of the thighbone moves in the socket of the pelvis.

The femoral head is connected to the thighbone by a neck. This area is also called the collum and is the most commonly involved site of a fracture.
Other terms for a broken hip are collum fracture and hip fracture. Below we describe how a broken hip occurs and what treatment options exist.

How does a broken hip occur?

By far the most common cause is trauma, such as a fall onto the hip or a hard impact to the hip during a traffic accident. These are examples of high-energy trauma (HET), accidents in which a lot of energy is released due to high speed or force.

A broken hip without an accident is likely the result of weakened hip bone. This is seen mainly in older people and can be due to osteoporosis (bone demineralization) or bone cancer. Because of bone weakening, fractures occur more easily.

Characteristics of a broken hip

When the hip is broken, it is no longer possible to stand or walk on that leg. A hip fracture causes severe pain, and the foot is usually externally rotated. In some cases, a swelling with a bluish-purple discoloration is visible on the side of the hip shortly after the fracture.

How is a broken hip diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made by physical examination and an X-ray. If there is doubt, an MRI scan may be necessary. A bone scan can also be considered; this provides more information about osteoporosis as a possible cause.

Treatment of a broken hip

Surgery is almost always required. The broken bone parts are reconnected with pins and screws. The decision to operate depends on several factors, such as the patient's age, general health, and bone quality. With poor bone quality, possibly due to osteoporosis or bone cancer, pins and screws may not remain securely fixed. In that case, a hip replacement may be needed.

After surgery and a period of rest, it is important to strengthen the hip and leg again. A physical therapist can help with this. Common treatments include joint mobilizations, exercise therapy, medical taping, dry needling, and massage of the muscles around the hip.

Find a physical therapist to help you recover optimally from a broken hip.