Broken hip

The hip joint is a so-called ball-and-socket joint that consists of a femoral head and a hip socket. A ball-and-socket joint means that the head rotates smoothly in the socket. In this case the head of the thigh bone in the socket of the pelvis.

The femoral head is connected to the femur via a neck. This part is also called the collum and is the most frequently involved in a break.
Other terms for a broken hip are collum fracture and hip fracture. Below it is described how a broken hip occurs and which treatment options there are.

How does a broken hip occur?

By far the most common cause of a broken hip is an accident (trauma). Such as a fall on the hip or a hard blow to the hip during a traffic accident. These are examples of a high-energy trauma (HET). This is an accident in which a lot of energy is released due to high speed or force.

A broken hip without an accident is probably the result of weakened bone. This is seen mainly in older people and can be the result of osteoporosis or bone cancer. Due to the weakening of the bone, breaks occur more easily.

Characteristics of a broken hip

If the hip is broken, then it is no longer possible to stand or walk on that leg. A broken hip causes severe pain and the foot is usually rotated outwards. In some cases, shortly after the break, swelling with a blue-purple colour can be seen on the side of the hip.

How is a broken hip diagnosed?

The diagnosis of a broken hip is made by physical examination and an X-ray. If in doubt, it may be necessary to take an MRI scan. It can also be considered to do a bone scan; this provides more information about osteoporosis as a possible cause of the broken hip.

Treatment of a broken hip

Almost always an operation is needed to treat a broken hip. The broken bone parts are then connected again by means of pins and screws. The decision to operate depends on several factors. Such as the age of the patient, general health and the quality of the bone. With poor bone quality, possibly due to osteoporosis or bone cancer, the pins and screws may not stay well fixed. In this case it may be necessary to place a new hip (hip prosthesis).

After the operation and a period of rest it is important to strengthen the hip and the leg again. A physiotherapist can help well with this. Frequently used treatment options are mobilisations, exercise therapy, medical taping, dry needling and massage of the muscles near the hip.

Find a physiotherapist who will help you to recover optimally from a broken hip.