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Problems Related to a Broken Hip

A broken hip is also known as a hip fracture. There are two major types of broken hip: a femoral neck (ball and socket joint) break and a break in the area just below the femoral neck (intertrochanteric hip fracture). Numerous problems are associated with a broken hip, including osteoporosis, pain and even death.

  1. Osteoporosis

    • Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that may increase one's risk of suffering a broken or fractured hip. Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak, brittle and susceptible to force or stress. As a result, even moderate tasks like bending over or coughing may cause bones to crack. Osteoporosis results from a degeneration of bone tissue over time. It typically occurs with age, as the body gradually loses its ability to replace lost tissue with new, healthy tissue.

    Pain

    • Pain is the most common problem associated with a broken hip. Pain resulting from a fractured femoral neck bone is both chronic and acute. Furthermore, a broken hip typically requires some measure of surgery involving plates, screws and casts, all of which are associated with a lengthy, often painful recovery time. Physical therapy may be prescribed to help individuals with broken hips cope with physical and emotional pain.

    Assisted Living

    • Individuals who suffer a broken hip are often required to undergo assisted living for an indefinite period of time. After an average hospital stay of two weeks, individuals must usually live in nursing homes, hire paid caretakers or receive help from family members, all of which extends the cost of a broken hip beyond the initial surgery (which itself costs an average of $37,000).

    Death

    • Death is actually a fairly common occurrence in individuals who suffer a broken hip. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, about 24 percent of individuals over the age of 50 who break their hip die within the following 12 months. Death is typically a result of complications associated with a broken hip and not from the broken hip itself. Complications may include blood clots that form around the injured bone and travel to the lungs or heart as well as infections that result in pneumonia.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Ensuring proper bone density and strength is perhaps the best way to prevent a broken hip. The best method of strengthening bones is through consistent exercise. It is recommended that individuals, particularly those over 65, attempt to exercise, even mildly, for 30 minutes every day. Because a broken hip typically occurs on account of tripping or falling, exercises like tai chi and yoga that promote balance and coordination are suggested. Weight-bearing or weight resistance exercises are also useful because they can increase bone density.

      Attempt to maintain a diet rich in both calcium and vitamin D. This will increase bone density and lower the risk of suffering a broken hip.

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