March 19, 2015

One of the most common injuries in the elderly is broken bones, even more so in those with thinning bones. Hip fractures are actually the most common broken bone that leads to hospitalization, and effects approximately 300,000 people every year.

Before I get started I think it is important that I clarify one thing – a “broken hip” and a “hip fracture” are the same thing.

Hip fractures in the elderly are most often caused by falling, and is usually a seemingly insignificant fall. If the patient is young (with stronger bones) causes of hip fractures are usually high-energy activities, such as a car accident. Hip fractures can also happen when bones are weakened from tumor or infection, which is called a pathologic fracture.