What Are the Causes of Hip Fractures?

A hip fracture is a break in the hip or pelvic bone area. The most common location of hip fracture is in the upper femur, according to PeaceHealth.org. Most people with hip fractures are older than 65, and the complications can be severe. There are several causes of hip fracture, including osteoporosis, age and injuries.

Types

• There are two types of fractures. A subcapital hip fracture occurs below the head of the femur, while an intertrochanteric hip fracture happens just below the neck of the femur.

Sources of Injury

• In the elderly, hip fractures usually occur from falls or weak bones. When younger people break hips, it is almost always caused by trauma, such as from a sports injury or a car accident, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Effects

• According to the Merck Manual of Health & Aging, osteoporosis makes bones weak enough to fracture during everyday activities, like standing up. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones and decreases muscle mass. It can be caused by aging, but also from Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 10 million men and women in the United States live with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes hip fractures in one out of two women and one out of four men over the age of 50.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for hip fracture include being female, a family history of hip fractures and poor nutrition. The Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, because both inhibit absorption of nutrients necessary for bone repair and rebuilding.

Considerations

• The Mayo Clinic says that other medical conditions, including rheumatoid disorders, hyperthyroidism, gastrointestinal diseases and hypogonadism, can all weaken bones by preventing the full absorption of Vitamin D and calcium that is necessary to repair and strengthen bones.