What is a hip fracture?
A person with a hip fracture has broken one of the bones that make up the hip joint. The most common location of the fracture occurs in the top of the femur. In the elderly, most hip fractures are caused by minor falls onto the hip. Nearly half of all people with hip fracture are more than 80 years old. In young people, a severe injury, such as an automobile accident, is required to break the hip.

What are the symptoms of a hip fracture?
Symptoms of a hip fracture include sudden severe hip pain that worsens with movement of the hip. Additional symptoms may include bruising over the hip, hip swelling, hip tenderness, knee pain, difficulty walking, limping, inability to stand, leg weakness, and leg numbness. The leg with the hip fracture is usually shorter than the other leg.

How does the doctor treat a hip fracture?
Treatment for a hip fracture includes surgery to repair the hip. In some cases this may require a hip joint replacement. Additional treatment may include narcotic pain medications, physical therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain.