A hip fracture or a broken hip is always serious especially if you are older and must not be ignored because complications can be life threatening. Fortunately, an orthopedic surgeon in St. John can assist with your hip repair treatment in Indiana. Dr. Keith Pitchford of Great Lakes Orthopedics & Sports Medicine can accommodate with the correct hip fracture treatment methods.
What causes hip fractures?
Among the common causes for a broken hip or a hip fracture are: fall from a great height or onto a hard surface, trauma from accident or car crash, osteoporosis and obesity or too much weight.
What are the symptoms?
A hip fracture can cause swelling, bruising, inflammation and pain in the hip and groin area and the hip may look deformed. Aside from that, an inability to put weight or pressure on the affected hip and leg and the leg on the affected side may appear shorter are some of the symptoms.
Why life threatening?
Hip fractures are life threatening to older adults. Most hip fractures for older people are caused by falls and osteoporosis. Older adults with osteoporosis are of higher risk for developing hip fractures because of the loss of bone mass and weaker bones.
There may be a more complicated medical condition that may arise if the condition is left untreated such as blood clots, pneumonia and infection. Hip fractures are a major source of disability which is what makes it life threatening.
There is a chance for an immobility if left untreated. Immobility can cause blood clots in the veins of the leg that can lead to a more severe complication called pulmonary embolus. Patients, especially if they are older, will became immobile because of the pain when moving and eventually bedsores can result that can further develop into an infection.
Is there a treatment option?
There are two hip repair treatment options at Great Lakes Orthopedics & Sports Medicine where Dr. Pitchford is knowledgeable and experienced in orthopedics in St. John who can fully help you choose the appropriate treatment after a careful assessment of a hip fracture.
Call us today at (219) 365-022 to schedule consultation and know more about your hip repair option in St. John!
