Hip Fracture - Causes, Types & Treatment of Most Common Fracture in Older adults:

Majority of hip fractures occur in older adults above age 60, a direct result osteoporosis the primary cause of bone fractures in older adults. The hip joint, the largest and most used joint in the human body is naturally the most affected due to weak bones caused by osteoporosis making it one of the most common bone fractures in the world.

With women being more prone to osteoporosis than men, the incidence of a hip fracture is also more among women. While injuries in the older age (falling) are major causes of hip fracture owing to osteoporosis, trauma injuries like automobile accidents also cause hip fractures in younger folks.

Here’s what Dr Niraj Vora, Mumbai's Top Hip Replacement Surgeon got to say about Hip fracture & Osteoporosis:

What is a hip fracture?

The break in the upper thigh bone (femur) at the hip joint is termed as a hip fracture. Among older adults, falling is one of the major causes of the injury to the thigh bone. With weakened bones caused by osteoporosis, the risk of hip fracture further increases in older adults above age 50. Fractures can vary according to intensity of the injury, which can range from cracked bones and minimal bone displacement to completely detachment of bone from the hip joint.

Common Types of Hip Fracture:

The hip is a ball and socket joint where the femur attaches to the ball (acetabulum). The injury can happen at the head, neck and far below the neck of the femur and these injuries are classified according to the spot of break and its intensity.

The two most common types of hip fractures are:

Femoral neck fracture: An inverted L shaped point approximately 1 to 2 inches away from the hip joint is called the neck of the femur where most of the injuries of older adults occur. This injury can further cut off the blood supply to the bone complicating the condition even further. This type of injury is most commonly suffer by older adults.

Introchanteric hip fracture: This type of injury happens at bony ridges along the outer edge of the femur, 3 to 4 inches away from the joint. This type of injury doesn’t cut off the blood supply and hence it is easier to repair too.

Though most of the hip fractures fall into the above two categories there are other types of fractures that are treated by hip specialists. Stress-related hip fracture is another type of hip fracture that is caused by overuse and repetitive motions causing a hairline crack in the bone.

Most of the hip fractures occur after age 50. The risk of all types of fractures essential doubles after age 60 and hip fractures are one of the most common fractures surfed by older adults around the world. The mortality rate of hip fracture ranges from 20-25% in the first year after hip fracture with continued risk in the next 5 years if not treated promptly.

However, total hip replacement is the most efficient procedure in the world that can help patients restore and futureproof their hip health. Dr. Niraj Vora is one of the hip replacement surgeons in Mumbai who has helped hundreds of patients get rid of their debilitating hip problems with successful hip replacement surgeries.