Hip Fractures: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Hip Fractures?
An orthopedic surgeon, a doctor who treats bone and joint injuries, usually treats hip fractures. Care often starts with an emergency room doctor. An internist, a doctor for adult medical problems, helps get you ready for surgery. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are hip fractures?
A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the femur, the thighbone. Most hip fractures happen in older people whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition. In younger people, a hip fracture is usually caused by a high-energy event, such as a fall from a height or a car or motorcycle crash. Each year in the U.S., more than 300,000 people have a hip fracture.
Symptoms
A hip fracture is very painful. Common signs include:
- Pain in the groin and upper thigh.
- Not being able to stand, put weight on the leg, or move the upper part of the leg.
- An injured leg that looks shorter than the other leg and is twisted or turned out.
- A bruise on the outer part of the hip or thigh where you fell.
A small number of hip fractures are not as painful at first. With these, you may still be able to move your leg and put weight on it. A stress fracture, a fracture from repeated impact, may cause pain that increases over time.
Causes and who gets it
Most hip fractures come from low-energy falls in older people who have weak, osteoporotic bone. Even a simple twist or trip can cause one. Sometimes the bone is so weak that it breaks while a person is walking or standing. Most of these fractures happen in adults 65 or older who fall at home or in the community.
How doctors diagnose it
Most people with a hip fracture are taken by ambulance to a hospital emergency room. There, an emergency room doctor or an orthopedic surgeon asks how you were hurt and checks for injuries in other parts of your body. The doctor also checks feeling, movement, and blood flow in your lower leg.
Most hip fractures can be seen on an X-ray. A CT scan may be ordered if the X-ray does not show a fracture. An MRI is rarely needed, but it can find a small or incomplete fracture that an X-ray cannot see.
Treatment
Most hip fractures need surgery. Only a very small group of nondisplaced fractures in healthy patients can be treated without it. A nondisplaced fracture is a break where the bone pieces stay lined up. A separate small group of patients may be too sick for surgery. Surgery relieves the pain and lets you get out of bed. Having it within 24 to 48 hours (1 to 2 days) may lower the risk of complications.
The type of surgery depends on where the break is and on your age and health. Surgeons may hold the bone in place with screws, nails, or a plate. Or they may replace part or all of the hip joint. After surgery, you will take a blood thinner to help prevent blood clots.
Surgery has risks. These include blood clots in the legs or lungs, infection, and nerve or blood vessel injury. Older adults may become confused after surgery, and bed sores can form from lying in bed for long periods.
Most people get out of bed and start physical therapy the day after surgery. Moving early helps prevent blood clots, pneumonia, and bed sores. You will work with physical and occupational therapists. Many people go home, and some stay for a short time in a rehabilitation facility. The hospital stay is 3 to 5 days. Full recovery can take from 3 to 4 months to a year.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you fall and have severe hip or groin pain, you cannot stand or put weight on your leg, or your leg looks shorter or twisted. A small number of hip fractures hurt less at first, so have any hip pain after a fall checked by a doctor.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. After a hip fracture, emergency care and surgery come first. Later, either type of doctor can help with follow-up, talk with you about why you fell, and work on ways to prevent another fall.
Common questions
Do all hip fractures need surgery?
No, but most do. Only a very small group of nondisplaced fractures in healthy patients can be treated without surgery. Some patients are too sick to safely have surgery.
What causes hip fractures in older adults?
Falls are the main cause. Most hip fractures result from low-energy falls in older people who have weakened or osteoporotic bone.
How soon should hip fracture surgery happen?
Surgery as soon as possible, within 24 to 48 hours (1 to 2 days), may reduce the risk of complications. First, you must be medically ready. Even if this takes longer, it is better to be ready than to rush to surgery.
How long does recovery from a hip fracture take?
Full recovery can take from 3 to 4 months to a year. Early movement and rehabilitation have been shown to improve long-term results.
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Hip Fractures
- MedlinePlus - Hip fracture surgery
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
