Hip fracture surgery

Definition

Hip fracture surgery is done to repair a break in the upper part of the thigh bone. The thigh bone is called the femur. It is part of the hip joint.

Hip pain is a related topic.

Alternative Names

Inter-trochanteric fracture repair; Subtrochanteric fracture repair; Femoral neck fracture repair; Trochanteric fracture repair; Hip pinning surgery; Osteoarthritis - hip

Description

You may receive general anesthesia for this surgery. This means you will be unconscious and unable to feel pain. You may have spinal anesthesia. With this kind of anesthesia, medicine is put into your back to make you numb below your waist. You may also receive anesthesia through your veins to make you sleepy during the surgery.

The type of surgery you have depends on the kind of fracture you have and also your general health.

If your fracture is in the neck of the femur (the part just below the top of the bone) you may have a hip pinning procedure. During this surgery:

If you have an intertrochanteric fracture (the area below the femur neck), your surgeon will use a special metal plate and special compression screws to repair it. Often, more than one piece of bone is broken in this type of fracture. During this surgery:

Your surgeon may perform a total or partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty) if there is concern that your hip will not heal well using one of the procedures above. Hemiarthroplasty replaces only the ball part of your hip joint. Total hip replacement replaces the ball and the socket part of the hip.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

If a hip fracture is not treated, you may need to stay in a chair or bed for a few months until the fracture is healed. This can lead to life-threatening medical problems, especially if you are older. Surgery is often recommended because of these risks.

Risks

Following are risks of surgery:

Before the Procedure

You will likely be admitted to the hospital because of a hip fracture. You probably will not be able to put any weight on your leg or get out of bed.

Tell your health care provider what medicines you are taking. This includes medicines, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.

On the day of the surgery:

After the Procedure

You will stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days. Full recovery will take from 3 to 4 months to a year.

After surgery:

You will be encouraged to start moving and walking as soon as the first day after surgery. Most of the problems that develop after hip fracture surgery can be prevented by getting out of bed and walking as soon as possible.

You will be able to go home when:

Follow any instructions you are given about how to care for yourself at home.

Some people need a short stay in a rehabilitation center after they leave the hospital and before they go home. At a rehabilitation center, you will learn how to safely do your daily activities on your own.

You might need to use crutches or a walker for a few weeks or months after surgery.

Outlook (Prognosis)

You will do better if you get out of bed and start moving as soon as you can after your surgery. Health problems that develop after this surgery are often caused by being inactive.

Your provider will help you decide when it is safe for you to go home after this surgery.

You should also talk to your provider about reasons you had the fall and ways to prevent future falls.

References

Keller AS, Kashiwagi DT. Perioperative medical management of hip surgery patients. In: Berry DJ, Lieberman JR, eds. Surgery of the Hip. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 24.

Morris JC, Baumgaertner MR, Cooney LM, Morris VA. Medical management of the patient with hip fracture. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Krettek C, Anderson PA, eds. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 53.

Southerland LT, Fath JJ. Geriatric trauma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 179.

Weinlein JC. Fractures and dislocations of the hip. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.


Review Date: 12/12/2022
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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