Treatment Of Hip Fracture

Treatment of hip fracture is often a combination of three approaches, such as:

Surgery

Rehabilitation

Drugs

Surgery

Surgery is almost always the best treatment of hip fractures. Doctors typically use nonsurgical alternatives, such as traction, only if you have a serious illness that makes surgery too risky.

The type of surgery you have generally depends on the part of the hip that fractured, the severity of the fracture and your age. Generally, the better your health and mobility before your hip fracture, the better your chances for full recovery from a hip fracture.

Fractures of the femoral neck

Doctors such repair a fracture in three ways:

Metal screws. If, after the break, the bone is still properly aligned, your doctor may put metal screws in the bone to hold together while the fracture heals. This is called internal fixation. Metal screws are often placed in combination with bone nails (Gamma nail) for stability.

Replacement of part of the femur. If the ends of the broken bone is not aligned properly, or they were damaged, the doctor may remove the head and neck of the femur and replace them with a metal prosthesis. This is known as hemiarthroplasty.

Total hip replacement. This procedure involves the replacement of your femur and taking your pelvic bone with a prosthesis. Total hip replacement may be a good option if arthritis or a previous injury has damaged your joint, affecting its function before the break.

Although advanced age increases the likelihood of hip replacement needs, the most important factors in determining the need for this procedure are:

The type of fracture you have

The severity of your signs and symptoms

Personal risk of surgery-related problems

Freedom of movement and ability to work independently before the fracture

Intertrochanteric fractures

To repair this type of fracture, the doctor inserts a metal screw generally (compression screw of the hip) through the fracture. The screw is attached to a plate that runs along the femur. This plate is attached with screws others to help maintain the stability of the bone. As the bone heals, the screw compresses the bone fragments, so the edges grow together.

Depending on the type of fracture, your doctor may put a nail bone (Gamma nail) into the pit of bones, and then pass compression screw through the nail. The nail prevents slippage and provides additional stability and support the weight can enable faster.

Rehabilitation

If you have a normal recovery from surgery, the following steps are likely to follow this schedule:

Within about 1 day after surgery. Your support team will assist you in motion, often using a walker. You will begin physical therapy, typically focus on range of motion and strengthening exercises.

In about a week after surgery. Hospital stays after hip fracture surgery usually lasts less than a week. Depending on the type of surgery you had and if you have a home help, you may have to go to the hospital to a care facility long term.

Within a month after surgery. In long-term care and home care, you can work with an occupational therapist to learn the techniques for independence in everyday life, such as toileting, bathing, dressing and cooking. Your therapist will determine if a walker or wheelchair can help you regain mobility and independence.

Further, you can continue to respond with a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist, while recovering from surgery.

Medication

Although surgery is the primary treatment of hip fracture, a group of drugs called bisphosphonates bone density can reduce the risk of a second hip fracture. Most of these drugs are taken orally and side effects associated with it can be difficult to tolerate, such as nausea, abdominal pain, and inflammation of the esophagus. Alternatively, a bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (Reclast), may be given an annual infusion.