A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thighbone, which is part of the hip joint. It’s a serious injury that can reduce your ability to live independently and can lead to other major problems.

Older people, especially women, are most likely to break their thighbone, because bones get weaker as we get older. Hip fractures usually happen when someone falls. Car crashes and other accidents can also cause hip fractures.

The most common symptoms of a hip fracture are:

• Severe, sudden hip or groin pain.
• Not being able to walk or put weight on the leg.

Other symptoms are:

• Not being able to move after falling.
• Hip stiffness, bruising, and swelling.
• A leg that turns out and looks shorter.

Get medical help right away if you think you or someone else has a hip fracture.

Surgery is almost always needed after a hip fracture, along with physical therapy. The type of surgery depends on the type of hip fracture and how bad it is.

Types of surgery for a hip fracture are:

• Hip repair surgery using metal screws rods, and/or plates to hold the bone together while it heals.
• Hip replacement surgery to replace part or all of the damaged hip joint with an artificial one:
  • Partial hip replacement to replace the top of the thighbone.
  • Total hip replacement to replace the hip socket and the top of the thighbone.

After surgery, physical therapy helps you regain strength and the ability to walk.