The hip joint is like a “ball and socket “that lets us move our legs easily without pain. However, sometimes the top part of our thighbone, close to the hip, can break. This is called a hip fracture. The thighbone has two bony bumps on the top called the greater and lesser trochanters. The lesser trochanter sticks out from the bottom of the thighbone's neck at the back. Hip fractures can occur when there is a break in the top part of the thighbone, either in the area between the two bony bumps or below the lesser trochanter.
Hip fractures are commonly caused by minor trauma in elderly patients who have weak bones, as well as by serious injuries or high-energy trauma in younger individuals. The risk of hip fractures is also increased by the long-term use of certain medications.
The signs and symptoms of hip fractures include:
To diagnose a hip fracture, your doctor may use an X-ray or other imaging tests, such as an MRI.
Hip fractures are classified based on the specific area of the femur that is affected, which can include:
