The hip bone is a pretty strong one, however, after a certain age, it can become susceptible to fractures. Women in particular become susceptible to bone fractures due to decreasing estrogen levels and weakening bones as they get older and go into menopause. Add balance issues and poor eyesight to the mix, which are pretty common as you get older, and you are increasingly at risk of fractured bones are a result of tripping or falling.
A broken hip or a hip fracture is a serious injury that requires immediate orthopedic treatment. If you are exhibiting signs of a broken hip, delaying a diagnosis and treatment could increase the likelihood of experiencing complications, some of which can be life-threatening.
Signs To Be On The Lookout For
It is much less complicated to prevent accidents that may cause bone fractures than it is to treat bone fractures after they occur. As such, the primary goal once you reach a certain age or if you have a bone condition, such a osteoporosis, is to prevent situations that would put you at risk for a hip fracture. If following a fall or accident, you show signs of a hip fracture, see an orthopedic surgeon as soon as you can.
A broken hip will produce some or all of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in the hip region
- Pain and discomfort that limits movement of the hips
- Bruises in the hip area
- Swelling in the hip area
- Inability of the leg on the side of the affected hip to bear weight
- Inability to get up and walk
- A shorter leg on the side of the affected hip
- Leg turning outward on the side of the affected hip
When you check for signs of a fracture, consider the preceding event that may have caused the symptoms to appear. For most people, an serious accident or a bad fall is necessary for a hip fracture to occur. However, for patients with osteoporosis, a sudden twisting movement, colliding with something in the house, or even a minor fall can cause a hip fracture. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you must be extra vigilant in caring for your bones and watching out for any symptoms.
Hip Fracture Treatment in Eldersburg, Catonsville, or Columbia, Maryland
At the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, our orthopedic specialists are highly-skilled and have years of experience diagnosing and treating disorders of the hip, including hip fractures. We can diagnose a broken hip by ordering an X-ray to check for signs of a fracture.
We offer comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services to all the patients we treat in any of our facilities, whether it’s in our Eldersburg, Catonsville, or Columbia clinic. We typically recommend that our patients undergo pre-surgery rehabilitation so they are in the best possible shape for the surgery and can recover soon afterward.
To schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic surgeons, call the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland at (410) 644-1880 or request an appointment now. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you’ll be able to return to your normal activities.
