A fracture at the top of the thighbone, common in older adults after a fall
A hip fracture is a break at the top of the thighbone (femur).
A femoral neck fracture occurs inside the joint where blood supply is poor, making it harder for the bone to heal. If the fragments are badly displaced, the head of the femur can also lose its blood supply and die (avascular necrosis).
An intertrochanteric fracture occurs outside the joint where blood supply is better, so the bone heals more easily.
Falls in older adults are the main cause, and early treatment is very important.
Aging and hormonal changes reduce bone density
Older adults commonly trip or stumble and fall
Weakened bones cannot withstand the impact and break
Surgery should be performed as early as the patient's general condition allows (where possible, within about 48 hours of the injury or admission is considered the benchmark), and once surgery has stabilised the fracture, weight-bearing and walking practice should start early. This is because even a few days of bed rest can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or cognitive decline.
Prolonged bed rest increases the risk of complications.
These include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, pressure sores, and worsening of dementia. That is why early surgery and early rehabilitation are so important.