HIP FRACTURES
HIP FRACTURES
A hip fracture may also be referred to as a proximal femoral fracture.
WHAT IS A HIP FRACTURE?
A hip fracture is a break or crack close to your hip joint at the top of your thigh bone (femur).
WHAT CAUSES A HIP FRACTURE?
Often a hip fracture occurs when somebody has fallen over. If your bones are weak or osteoporotic then you are more likely to sustain a hip fracture after falling. Around 45% of those over the age of 80 living in the community fall each year and can be very debilitating.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A HIP FRACTURE?
There are a few different symptoms of a hip fracture including:
Inability to move, lift or rotate your leg
Pain when moving the hip
Tenderness around the hip
One leg shorter than the other or your leg is turning outwards
Not being able to put weight through your injured leg
HOW IS A HIP FRACTURE DIAGNOSED?
Because hip fractures generally occur after a fall, diagnosis will take place at a hospital. Scans are used to confirm diagnosis including X-rays, MRI scans and CT scans.
If you suspect you have fractured your hip it is important to go to your doctor as it is important that your hip fracture is assessed and treated or operated on as quickly as possible.
BENEFIT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR A HIP FRACTURE?
There are several benefits of physiotherapy following a hip fracture and surgery. Physiotherapy is important in order for you to make as quick a recovery as possible and to prevent the injury occurring again. The benefits you feel will be based on your symptoms and your goals.
Physiotherapy following a hip fracture aims to:
Decrease stiffness
Promote healing
Maintain range of movement
Decrease inflammation
Maintain or improve strength
Joint mobilisation
Improve confidence
Reduce pain
WHAT TREATMENT CAN FARRELL PHYSIOTHERAPY OFFER FOR A HIP FRACTURE?
Hip fractures are normally treated with surgery. Around half of hip fractures require a complete or partial hip replacement and the rest need surgery that will fix the fracture with rods, plates or screws.
Following surgery, it is important to take part in a rehabilitation programme to aid your recovery and promote healing. After an assessment, your physiotherapist will produce an individual treatment and rehabilitation programme to help you recover as quickly and safely as possible depending on your symptoms and injury.
Your physiotherapist will choose the most appropriate treatment methods for you based on your symptoms and response to different treatment modalities.
Treatment can include:
Strengthening exercises
Range of movement exercises
Gait re-education
Advice on adaptations or equipment
Ice/heat therapy
Electrotherapy
Education with walking aids or assistance
Practice mobilising up and down stairs
Practicing transfers: getting up from lying, sitting, transferring from bed to chair, on/off the toilet etc
Graded exercise programme to return to functional/sporting activities
Don't Let Pain Win!
Our Expert Physiotherapists in Witham and Chelmsford specialise in providing the latest treatments and techniques in order to get you pain free as soon as possible, cure the cause of your pain and help you to return to pre-injury levels of activity.
Furthermore, we'll also give you a bespoke exercise and rehabilitation program, and advise you on how to prevent re-injury and remain pain free.
Get in touch with us now on 01245 830280 or 07980 898212 or click below to book online!
Same day and emergency appointments available most of the time.
Insurance
At Farrell Physiotherapy we work with some of the uk's top insurance companies to ensure you're covered.
We can accept payment from AXA (PPP), Bupa, PruHealth, simplyhealth and Standard Life, if you have any questions about alternative payment methods, please get in touch with us using the contact form at the bottom of the page and we'll get back to you asap!
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