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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
Often your doctor can determine that you have a hip fracture based on your symptoms and by observing the abnormal position of your hip and leg. An X-ray usually will confirm that you have a fracture and show exactly what part of your hip is fractured.
If your X-ray doesn't show a fracture but you still have hip pain, your doctor may order a CT or MRI scan to look for a small hairline fracture.
Most hip fractures occur in one of two locations along your femur, the long bone that extends from your pelvis to your knee:
- The femoral neck. The femoral neck is located in the upper portion of your femur, just below its head, which is the ball part of the ball-and-socket joint.
- The intertrochanteric region. This region is the portion of your upper femur that juts outward.
- 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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