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Find Care for a Hip Fracture

A hip fracture, or broken hip, occurs when the area at the top of the thighbone breaks. A fractured hip is a serious injury and requires immediate medical attention. In some instances, a hip fracture can have life-threatening complications. If you think you have a hip fracture, seek emergency medical care or call 911.

Orthopedic surgeons at UPMC offer the latest medical care and treatment for hip fractures in Williamsport and Wellsboro, PA.

Hip Fracture Symptoms

If you’ve had a hip fracture or break, the main symptom will be pain (either severe or a constant ache) in the upper part of your thigh or groin.

Other frequent symptoms of a hip fracture include:

  • Inability to bear  weight on the injured hip
  • Difficulty or inability to flex or rotate the hip
  • The leg on the injured side appears shorter than the other
  • Leg on the injured side turned outward
  • Swelling, stiffness and bruising

If you think you have a hip fracture, don’t wait to get medical care. Visit a UPMC location or an emergency room nearest you.

Hip Fracture Causes

Hip fractures are most often caused by the forceful trauma of a fall or other direct blow to the hip. At the moment of a break, the forces on the thighbone exceed its ability to remain intact.

Other causes of hip fractures include:

These medical conditions cause the thighbone to weaken and increase the chance of a fracture or break. Elderly women with osteoporosis are at a greater risk of falling and having a hip fracture.

Hip Fracture Treatment at UPMC 

At UPMC experienced orthopedic doctors are dedicated to providing advanced treatments for hip fractures in Wellsboro and Williamsport, PA.

In most cases, surgery is necessary to repair a fractured hip. Your doctor will make this recommendation based on your health and risk factors. If you are too ill to have surgery, your doctor may recommend extended bed rest to help you recover.

If you are a candidate for hip surgery, the goal of the procedure will be to stabilize and realign your thighbone, using pins, plates and screws. Hip joint replacement may be needed if the fracture is significant.

Once your surgery is complete, you’ll have rehabilitation with a physical therapist to help strengthen your hip and regain flexibility and function. Full recovery from hip fracture surgery can take three to six months.

UPMC orthopedic surgeons perform the latest surgical procedures to treat hip fractures in Williamsport and Wellsboro, PA.