A hip fracture is a
serious injury, particularly if you're older, and
complications can be life-threatening. Fortunately,
surgery to repair a hip fracture is usually very
effective, although recovery often requires time and
patience. Most people, even those older than age 80,
make a good recovery from a hip fracture. Generally,
the better your health and mobility, the better your
chances for a complete recovery are. You can break
your hip at any age, but 90 percent of
hospitalizations for hip fractures are for people
older than age 65. As you age, your bones become
less dense as they slowly lose minerals. Gradual
loss of density weakens bones and makes them more
susceptible to a fracture.
If you're a woman, you're
two to three times more likely than a man is to
experience a hip fracture. That's because women lose
bone density at a greater rate than men do.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of a hip fracture may include:
-
Severe pain in
your hip or groin
-
Inability to put
weight on your injured leg
-
Stiffness,
bruising and swelling in and around your hip area
-
Shorter leg on the
side of your injured hip
-
Turning inward or
outward of your leg on the side of your injured hip
Causes
In older adults, a hip fracture is most often a result of a traumatic
event, such as falling, and weak bones. In younger adults, major trauma
to the hip, such as a sports injury or a car accident, may lead to a hip
fracture.
Risk factors
A
combination of factors may increase your risk of a hip fracture,
including:
-
Age.
The rate of hip fractures increases with age. As you age, your bone
density decreases, your vision and sense of balance decline, and
your reaction time slows. If you're inactive, your muscles tend to
weaken as you age. All of these factors combined can increase your
risk of a hip fracture.
-
Chronic medical
conditions.
Osteoporosis is one of the biggest risk factors for hip fracture. In
osteoporosis, the structure of your bones becomes weaker because
your bones don't contain as much calcium and other minerals. A
weaker structure makes your bones more prone to a fracture, even
with relatively minor trauma. Loss of bone strength tends to be
greatest in your spine, lower forearms and upper thighbones
(femurs), the site of hip fractures.
-
Other medical
conditions may also lead to bone fragility either by slowing bone
formation or speeding up bone loss. These include endocrine
disorders, such as hypogonadism or type 1 diabetes (formerly called
juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes); gastrointestinal disorders,
which may interfere with calcium and vitamin D absorption; and
rheumatoid disorders, which often lead to inactivity and loss of
bone mass. Prolonged bed rest or immobility can also lead to bone
loss.
-
Chronic conditions
that affect your nervous system can increase your risk of falling,
such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. People with
decreased mental alertness, such as that caused by dementia or
depression, are also at increased risk of falling.
-
Sex.
Women lose bone density at a faster rate than men do. The drop in
estrogen levels that occurs with menopause accelerates bone loss,
increasing the risk of hip fractures as a woman moves beyond
menopause. However, men also can develop dangerously low levels of
bone density.
-
Heredity.
Genetic factors influence bone size, bone mass and bone density. A
family history of osteoporosis or fractures later in life is a
strong predictor of low bone mass, although not necessarily of
fractures themselves. A small-boned, slender frame may put you at
increased risk for osteoporosis. Also, Caucasians and Asians have
the highest risk of osteoporosis.
-
Nutrition.
Lack of calcium and vitamin D in your diet when you're young lowers
your peak bone mass and increases your risk of fracture later in
life. Serious eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia
can damage your skeleton by depriving your body of essential
nutrients needed for bone building.
-
Tobacco and
alcohol use.
Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol can interfere with the
normal processes of bone building and remodeling, resulting in bone
loss. These habits also interfere with the production of estrogen
and testosterone, two hormones that contribute to bone mass. In
addition, smokers tend to enter menopause earlier than nonsmokers
do.
-
Medications.
Certain medications can accelerate bone loss, thus increasing your
risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture. Long-term use of
corticosteroids may lower bone mass. Other medications that may
contribute to bone loss or to calcium or vitamin D deficiencies if
used for long periods of time include anticonvulsants, thyroid
medications, and certain diuretics and blood thinners.
-
Some drugs may
affect your balance and cause dizziness including certain blood
pressure medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants,
cold and allergy medications, pain relievers and sleep medications.
-
Environmental
hazards.
Loose rugs, cluttered floors, poor lighting, exposed electrical or
telephone cords, and stairs with no handrails may increase your risk
of stumbling and falling.
Depression
menopause
Multiple
sclerosis
Nicotine
dependence
Hip fracture
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