Hip Fracture Treatment

A hip fracture is a painful condition which can result from trauma of a fall.

At Vitalis Physiotherapy, our treatment of hip fractures aims to:

What is a hip fracture?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint which connects to the pelvis – the femoral head (upper part of the thigh [femur] bone) is the ‘ball’, and the ‘socket’ is the acetabulum (part of the pelvis)  This joint is then supported and held together by ligaments, tendons and the labrum. A hip fracture can occur at the following:

  1. Femoral neck – fracture to the area under the femoral head
  2. Intertrochanteric area – fracture between the space under the femoral neck and above the long shaft of the femur (thigh) bone
  3. Subtrochanteric area – fracture to the area along the long femur bone
  4. Femoral head – fracture to the ball-shaped area on top the femur which sits in the socket

Fractures and other serious injuries to the hip joint can result in damage to nearby nerves, blood vessels and other musculoskeletal structures, causing chronic pain or permanent injury.

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What are the causes?

The cause of an hip fracture can vary in severity, and can greatly impair mobility and function. Tpyically, those over 65 years of age (especially elderly women) are most at risk of fracturing their hip.

Some common factors which can trigger a fracture include:

  • Falls – usually a low-energy fall, common in elderly individuals with weakened bones
  • Spontaneous causes – fractures can be triggered randomly while walking or standing on severely weakened bones
  • Trauma – car accidents or high-contact activity
  • Sports-related injuries – repetitive impact against the hip joint or connecting bones, e.g. from long distance running, etc.
  • Abnormal, rapid and sudden movement or pressure against the hip joint (sometimes also causing dislocation)
  • Lifestyle – sedentary, minimal exercise, history of smoking/alcohol consumption, being underweight, etc.
  • Health contraindications – low vitamin D/calcium + other nutrients, genetic predispositions (bone weakness), comorbid diagnoses (Hip OA, dementia, Parkinson’s disease), etc.

What are the symptoms?

  • Pain (delayed or immediate) – can be sudden/severe/aching
    • Referred pain felt down the thigh bone, gluts, groin or pelvis
    • Pain while walking/standing/sitting
  • Stiffness/inability to move the hip joint (through leg motion)
  • Tenderness/painful to touch
  • Reduced or no range of movement
  • Inability/extreme difficulty to weight bear on the hip/leg
  • Swelling and bruising
  • Instability – feels like the joint is slipping out of place
Treatment

Treatment for a hip fracture

If you have fractured your hip, it is important to seek out immediate medical treatment. You will likely be referred for CT, X-ray or MRI scans to determine the extent of the injury. Often, surgical intervention is the first method of treatment – whether that be the insertion of pins to stabilise the joint, to a complete hip replacement.

 

Physical therapy is also highly beneficial in rehabilitating the structures around the hip joint after a fracture to increase range of movement and strength. At Vitalis Physiotherapy, we tailor a unique treatment plan to aid in your recovery through:

  • Stretching, strengthening and/or conditioning exercises
  • Restoring range of movement
  • Postural improvement
  • Joint mobilisation
  • Soft tissue release (massage)
  • Shockwave Therapy
  • Dry needling
  • Taping
  • A unique home exercise program
  • Graded Exposure to load program

Your physiotherapist may also advise heat or ice application, rest and if necessary, pain medication. Additionally, they might recommend for you to use supportive braces or belts.

How to book an appointment?

If you have a fractured hip, or you’re looking for a ‘physiotherapist near me’, our physios at Vitalis Physiotherapy can assess your condition to tailor a unique rehabilitation plan to aid in your pain relief and recovery.

All you need to do is just give us a call on 0410 559 856 and request an initial appointment. Please let our friendly reception staff know the background and severity of your condition.

You can visit our FAQs for more information about appointments at Vitalis Physiotherapy.

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Need Help?

Are you recovering from a fractured hip? Contact Vitalis Physiotherapy now to book in your treatment.

Call our friendly team on 0410 559 856. We’d love to help.

Contact us for more information on treatment

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Sinnamon Park Village

3/58 Oldfield Road, Sinnamon Park Qld 4073

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