injuries and poisoning
Hip Fractures
Symptoms of Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are usually very painful and usually cause pain in the groin. If the broken pieces of bone have separated, people cannot walk, stand, or move their leg. When they lie down, the affected leg may appear shorter and may turn out. However, if the broken pieces have been jammed together and the fracture is small, people can sometimes walk and may have only mild pain, and the leg appears normal. If a lot of blood leaks from the fracture or from torn blood vessels nearby, people may feel light-headed or weak. The area may swell, and a purplish bruise may develop. Sometimes when the hip is broken, pain seems to come from the knee instead of the hip. It feels that way because the knee and the hip share part of the same nerve pathways. Such pain is called What Is Referred Pain? . If the hip fracture forces people to stay in bed for a long time, they are at increased risk of developing serious problems. Problems Due to Bed Rest include Pressure Sores None Blood clots, which may lead to Pulmonary Embolism (PE) None Mental Confusion and Mental Decline Due to Hospitalization None Overview of Pneumonia None Loss of muscle and a decrease in general physical fitness (called deconditioning) Older peopleare more likely to have problems due to bed rest, and these problems may have more serious consequences. The hip fracture may change how they live. Older people may be unable to do their usual daily activities. They may need someone to help them at home or may need to move to a nursing home. People may become depressed if the fracture limits what they can do or ends their independence. 