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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
You can break your hip at any age, but the great majority of hip fractures occur in people older than 65. As you age, your bones slowly lose minerals and become less dense. Gradual loss of density weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to a hip fracture.
A hip fracture is a serious injury, particularly if you're older, and complications can be life-threatening. Fortunately, surgery to repair a hip fracture is usually very effective, although recovery often requires time and patience.
- Hip fractures among older adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/adulthipfx.htm. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Hip Fractures. Merck Manual of Health and Aging. http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/sec3/ch23/ch23b.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Burroughs KE. Hip fractures in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Hip fractures. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00392. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Osteoporosis Prevention: Who's at risk. National Osteoporosis Foundation. http://www.nof.org/prevention/risk.htm. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Kiel DP. Falls in older persons: Risk factors and patient evaluation. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Kiel DP. Prevention of falls and complications of falls in older persons. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Live it safe: Prevent broken hips. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00305. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- LaVelle DG. Fractures and dislocations of the hip. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/172615262-3/0/1584/390.html?tocnode=55689267&fromURL=390.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50055-6--cesec1_2948. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Morris VA, et al. Medical management of the patient with hip fracture. In: Browner BD, et al. Skeletal Trauma. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/172615262-4/919970406/1867/52.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2220-6..10047-7--s0240_2185. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Auron-Gomez M, et al. Medical management of hip fracture. Clinics in geriatric. 2008;24:701.
- Osteoporosis overview. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Nutrition and bone health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Nutrition/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
- Baumgaertner MR, et al. Intertrochanteric hip fractures. In: Browner BD, et al. Skeletal Trauma. 4h ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/175438862-12/929829121/1867/54.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2220-6..10049-0--s0300_237. Accessed Dec. 15, 2009.
- Takahashi PY (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 2, 2009.
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