Hip injuries



A hip fracture is a serious injury, with complications that can be life-threatening. The risk of hip fracture rises with age.

Risk increases because bones tend to weaken with age (osteoporosis). Multiple medications, poor vision and balance problems also make older people more likely to fall — one of the most common causes of hip fracture.

A hip fracture almost always requires surgical repair or replacement, followed by physical therapy. Taking steps to maintain bone density and avoid falls can help prevent a hip fracture.

Symptoms
  • Inability to get up from a fall or to walk
  • Severe pain in the hip or groin
  • Inability to put weight on the leg on the side of the injured hip
  • Bruising and swelling in and around the hip area
  • Shorter leg on the side of the injured hip
  • Outward turning of the leg on the side of the injured hip
Causes
A severe impact, such as a car crash, can cause hip fractures in people of all ages. In older adults, a hip fracture is most often a result of a fall from a standing height. In people with very weak bones, a hip fracture can occur simply by standing on the leg and twisting.

Risk factors
  • Age and sex: Bone density and muscle mass tend to decrease with age. Older people can also have problems with vision and balance, which can increase the risk of falling. Hip fractures occur in women about three times more often than they do in men. Women lose bone density faster than men do, in part because the drop in estrogen levels that occurs with menopause accelerates bone loss. However, men also can develop dangerously low levels of bone density.
  • Medical conditions: Osteoporosis, thyroid problems, intestinal disorders, problems with balance...
  • Nutritional problems: Lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diet of young people lowers peak bone mass and increases risk of fracture later in life. It's also important to get enough calcium and vitamin D in older age to try to maintain bone density. Being underweight also increases the risk of bone loss.
  • Lifestyle choices: Lack of regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, can result in weakened bones and muscles, making falls and fractures more likely. Tobacco and alcohol both can interfere with the normal processes of bone building and maintenance, resulting in bone loss.
Preventions
  • Get enough calcium and vitamin D
  • Exercise to strenghten bones and improve balance
  • Avoid smoking or excesive drinking
  • Assess the home for hazards
  • Check your eyes
  • Use a cane, walking stick or walker

Links:
https://www.healthline.com/health/hip-pain
https://academyorthopedic.com/insights/hip-injuries/
https://medlineplus.gov/hipinjuriesanddisorders.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hip-fracture/symptoms-causes/syc-20373468

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