Have you or someone you know recently suffered from a fractured hip? Hip fractures are a common injury that mostly affects older people.  There are three different types of a fractured hip:

  • Femoral neck fracture: This type of fracture happens in the femur about 1 or 2 inches from where the head of the bone meets the socket. It may cut off the blood circulation to the ball of your hip by wearing down the blood vessels.
  • Intertrochanteric hip fracture: An intertrochanteric hip fracture occurs farther away. It’s about 3 to 4 inches from the joint.
  • Intracapsular fracture: This fracture affects the ball and socket portions of your hip. It can also cause tearing of the blood vessels near the ball.

Now that you know the different types of hip fractures, it is important to know some common causes of hip fractures. The leading cause of a hip fracture is falling. In most scenarios, osteoporosis or another bone thinning disease makes the fall more severe. If you’re sixty or older, the strength of your bones is weaker, increasing the odds of a hip fracture. Hindrance in balance and vision can also contribute to falling as well. Lastly, malnutrition will cause the bones to weaken, increasing odds of an injury!

A few symptoms of a fractured hip can include the following:

  • Extreme pain in the hip or groin.
  • Inability to walk or even put weight on the leg.
  • Inflammation
  • Bruising

Most hip fractures will require surgery which spells out a lengthy recovery. Thankfully, physical therapy makes post-surgery a much easier process. After hip surgery, a physical therapist works with the patient to relieve pain, improve mobility, and reestablish balance for unassisted mobility.

At Advanced Physical Therapy, our staff is experienced in working with patients with hip fractures. We understand what it takes to treat pain and we are experts in improving balance!  With 4 convenient locations in Valley Stream, Wantagh, Lindenhurst,  and Astoria, Queens we always look forward to helping Long Island residents along their journeys towards recovery.