• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Virtual Clinic
  • Patient Portal
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Surgery Center
  • Self-Pay Pricing
Watauga Orthopaedics
Watauga Orthopaedics
  • Phone: (423) 282-9011
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
    • Meet Our Doctors
      • Alan Aiken, DO
      • Marc Aiken, MD
      • Jonathan D. Bryant, DO
      • D. Christopher Carver, MD
      • Robert J. DeTroye, MD
      • Parker P. Duncan, MD
      • Richard W. Duncan, MD
      • Tyler M. Duncan, DO
      • Jason A. Fogleman, MD
      • Jeffrey J. France, MD
      • Joseph R. Hurst, DO
      • Thomas W. Gill, Jr., MD
      • Timothy D. Jenkins, MD
      • Kent J. Lord, MD
      • Scott R. MacDonald, DO
      • Mark T. McQuain, MD
      • Eric D. Parks, MD
      • Dustin M. Price, MD
      • Gregory L. Stewart, MD
      • J. Michael Wells, MD
    • Meet Our Mid-Level Providers
    • Meet Our Therapists
  • Specialties
    • Spine/Neck/Back
    • Shoulder & Elbow
    • Hand & Wrist
    • Hip & Knee
    • Foot & Ankle
  • Treatments & Services
    • General Orthopaedics
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Sports Medicine
    • Trauma & Fractures
    • Joint Replacement
    • Walk-In Clinic
    • Imaging
    • Physical Therapy
    • DME/Orthotics
    • Work-Related Injuries
    • Non-Surgical Treatments
    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Robotic Surgery
  • In The Community
  • Locations
    • Johnson City
    • Kingsport
    • Bristol
    • Center for Advanced Bone and Joint Surgery
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact Us

The Dangers of Hip Fractures

March 6, 2020

Doctor Discussing Hip X-ray of patient

The hip joint is one of the most critical joints in the human body. It permits a wide range of motion, allowing you to walk, run, and jump. For this reason, when the hip fractures, it can significantly impact your ability to move without pain. The bones of the hip can break at any age, mainly as the result of trauma or prolonged pressure on weakened bones. 

If you believe you injured your hip, seek medical attention because life-threatening complications may arise when a hip fracture is left untreated. 

Hip Fracture Causes and Symptoms

A broken hip may be due to the following reasons:

  • Falling on a hard surface
  • Trauma to the pelvis
  • Osteoporosis 

The common signs and symptoms of a broken hip include the following:

  • Pain in the hip bones
  • Uneven legs
  • Inability to walk
  • Inflammation of the pelvis
  • Bruising

Dangers of Hip Fractures

A broken hip is a grave condition that can eventually be life-threatening. That’s why it is essential to seek medical attention to minimize the possible risks associated with a hip fracture. Described below are some dangers of a hip fracture:

1.   Reduced Bone Density and Muscle Mass

As you age, your bone density and muscle mass begin to decrease. Hip fractures are more prevalent among the elderly because they are more prone to osteoporosis. As a result, bones become weak and fragile. A hip fracture can cause additional loss of bone density and muscle mass. In turn, this further heightens the risk of falling – and future fractures – due to balance and mobility problems.

2.   Increased Recovery Time

Recovery times vary among patients, but generally speaking, recovery from a hip fracture surgery can take anywhere from 1 to 6 months. Older individuals may need a longer time to heal, as will those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes. Furthermore, the type of hip injury you experience also has a bearing on your recovery time. For instance, an intracapsular break – in which the “ball” atop your femur breaks, which can affect the delivery of the nutrient-rich blood to bone tissue, leading to further bone collapse, and a longer recovery after surgery. 

3.   Additional Complications

The trauma from a hip injury – as well as from the surgery to treat it – is enough to cause possible additional complications. Being immobile for a length of time can lead to a host of problems such as blood clots, bedsores, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia.

4.   Death

Hip fractures increase your mortality risk. When a hip fracture is left untreated, it can eventually result in death. Several factors that contribute to this include the following:

  • Accidental falls
  • Cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurological issues
  • Pressure ulcers and pneumonia

Furthermore, hip fractures can lessen your independence. For instance, about half of the people with a hip fracture become reliant on other people to carry out their daily activities. Thus, they have a difficult time regaining their ability to live independently in the long run. 

Orthopedic Services in Tennessee

Having flexible and robust hip joints allow us to walk, run, and jump with ease. Hip fractures threaten our ability to move without pain, and these breaks can happen to the young and old alike. If hip fractures are left untreated, or sometimes even after surgery, complications can result, including death. Thus, seeking medical attention as soon as possible may be one of the wisest decisions you make.

Visit us at Watauga Orthopaedics if you have any questions or concerns about hip fractures. Our staff and specialists are more than willing to help. To reach us, you may call (423) 282-9011 or request your appointment online now.

Filed Under: Hip Tagged With: broken hip, Hip Fracture, Orthopedic Injuries, Orthopedics

Primary Sidebar

March 2020
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Feb   Apr »

Categories

  • Arthritis
  • Back Pain
  • Bone Health
  • Broken Bone
  • Facet Block
  • Fracture
  • General
  • General Orthopedics
  • Hand Dislocations
  • Hand Therapist
  • Herniated Discs
  • Hip
  • Hip Fractures
  • Hip Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Lumbar Pain
  • Meniscal Tear
  • Neck Pain
  • Nerve Damage
  • Orthopedic Doctor
  • Orthopedic Injury
  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Orthopedic Urgent Care
  • Orthopedics
  • Orthopedist
  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Physical Therapy
  • Shoulder & Elbow
  • Sports Medicine
  • Tendonitis
  • Work Injuries
  • Wrist Pain

Tags

Arthritis back pain bones Chronic Pain fracture Fractures Hip Hip Fractures joint pain Low Back Pain lumbar pain Musculoskeletal Injuries orthopedic orthopedic care orthopedic care near me Orthopedic Clinic Johnson City orthopedic clinic Johnson City TN orthopedic clinic near me Orthopedic Doctor Orthopedic doctor Bristol TN Orthopedic doctor near me Orthopedic Injuries orthopedic physical therapy Orthopedics Orthopedic Surgeon Orthopedic Surgeon Johnson City TN Orthopedic Surgeon near me Orthopedic Surgeons Kingsport TN Orthopedic Surgeons near me orthopedic surgery orthopedist pain Pediatric Orthopedics Pediatric Orthopedist Physical therapist near me Physical therapists near me physical therapy Physical Therapy Bristol TN Physical Therapy Johnson City physical therapy Johnson City TN Physical Therapy Kingsport TN Physical therapy near me Physical Therapy Services Watauga Orthopaedics Watauga Orthopedics

Footer

woman checking her laptop with smile

BLOG

Get the latest news and information about research and advancements in orthopedic sports medicine, as well updates about our practice, with our exclusive blog.

Learn More

Patient Stories

As a well-established and respected part of the northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia communities, Watauga Orthopaedics often receives glowing reviews from our patients for the exceptional personalized service we provide. Here are just a few of our favorite testimonials:

View All
Interior Patient Stories

Patient Reviews

Want to know what others had to say about their experience with us? Visit your Watauga Orthopaedics provider profile to read the reviews.

Read Our Reviews

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Specialties
  • Treatments & Services
  • In The Community
  • Patient Education
  • Blog
  • Patient Portal
  • Web Portal
  • Locations
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Non-Discrimination Policy
  • Employee Email Login
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

JOHNSON CITY ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE
2410 Susannah Street | Johnson City, TN 37601
Physical Therapy Office: 2412 Susannah Street | Johnson City, TN 37601
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F: 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic:
M-F, 8 am – 8 pm
Sat: 8 am – 5 pm | Sun: 1 pm – 5 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 10 pm | Sat-Sun: 5 pm – 10 pm

KINGSPORT ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE
875 Larry Neil Way | Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F, 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic: M-F, 8 am – 8 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 10 pm | Sat-Sun: 5 pm – 10 pm

BRISTOL ORTHOPAEDICS OFFICE 
340 Steeles Road | Bristol, TN 37620
Phone: (423) 282-9011
Fax: (423) 282-0035
Appointments: M-F, 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Clinic: M-F, 8 am – 8 pm
Virtual Clinic:
M-F: 8 pm – 10 pm | Sat-Sun: 5 pm – 10 pm

Copyright © · Watauga Orthopaedics · All Rights Reserved
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At Watauga Orthopaedics, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are experts in treating injuries and conditions of the Spine/Neck/Back, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip & Knee, Joint Replacement, Pediatric Orthopaedics, Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Medicine, Trauma & Fractures, and Work-Related Injuries. We offer multiple treatments and services in Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, TN.