Medicines for Broken hip

What it is

A broken hip (hip fracture) is a break in the upper part of the thigh bone (femur), near where it forms the hip joint. It is a serious injury that usually needs urgent hospital treatment and, in most cases, surgery. Broken hips are most common in older people, particularly those with weaker bones (osteoporosis), in whom even a fall from standing height can cause a fracture; they can also occur in younger people, but usually only after a high-force injury such as a road accident. A broken hip is an important injury because, particularly in older and frailer people, it can significantly affect health, mobility, and independence, and prompt, well-organised treatment and rehabilitation are important for the best recovery. The symptoms of a broken hip, usually after a fall, can include: severe pain in the hip, groin, or upper thigh; being unable to stand, walk, or put weight on the leg; the leg on the injured side sometimes looking shorter or turned outwards; and swelling or bruising around the hip. Occasionally, a fracture may be less obvious (for example a hairline fracture where a person can still bear some weight but has pain). A suspected broken hip needs urgent assessment; an X-ray (or sometimes further scans) confirms the fracture. Treatment is usually surgery — either to fix the broken bone (with screws, plates, or a rod) or to replace part or all of the hip joint (a partial or total hip replacement), depending on the type and position of the fracture and the person’s circumstances — carried out promptly, followed by pain relief, early mobilisation, and rehabilitation. Comprehensive care, including managing pain, preventing complications, physiotherapy, and support, aids recovery. Assessing and treating osteoporosis and reducing the risk of falls are important to help prevent future fractures. The key messages are that a broken hip is a serious injury needing urgent care and usually surgery, and that prompt treatment and rehabilitation give the best chance of recovery.

How it is treated

A broken hip is a serious injury that needs urgent hospital care, usually including surgery, and prompt, comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation give the best recovery. If a broken hip is suspected — usually severe hip, groin, or thigh pain and inability to bear weight after a fall, sometimes with the leg looking shorter or turned out — urgent medical help is needed (calling emergency services if the person cannot move). In hospital, examination and an X-ray (or further scans if needed) confirm the fracture, and the person is assessed and prepared for treatment, with pain relief given. The usual treatment is surgery, carried out promptly (ideally without unnecessary delay, as early surgery is associated with better outcomes): depending on the type and position of the fracture and the person’s circumstances, this may involve fixing the broken bone (internal fixation, using screws, plates, or a rod) or replacing part or all of the hip joint (a partial or total hip replacement). After surgery, care focuses on pain relief, getting the person moving and standing as soon as safely possible (early mobilisation, which helps prevent complications), preventing and managing complications (such as chest infections, blood clots, pressure sores, and confusion, which older people are prone to after major injury and surgery), physiotherapy, good nutrition, and rehabilitation to regain mobility and function. For older people, coordinated care involving specialists in the care of older people helps optimise recovery and manage other health needs. Rehabilitation, sometimes in a rehabilitation unit or with support at home, helps people regain mobility and independence, though recovery takes time and varies with the person’s previous health and fitness. Preventing future fractures is an important part of care: assessing and treating osteoporosis (to strengthen the bones), and reducing the risk of falls (for example reviewing medicines, vision, home hazards, and strength and balance), help prevent further fractures. The reassuring message is that, although a broken hip is a serious injury, prompt surgery and comprehensive, well-organised treatment and rehabilitation give people the best chance of recovering mobility and independence — and that steps to strengthen bones and prevent falls reduce the risk of it happening again.