Hip fracture is a serious injury with life-threatening complications.
Most hip fractures occur at the femur, the long bone that extends from the pelvis to the knee. The part most affected by fractures is the neck of the femur, which is at the top of the bone, just below the femoral head.
The fracture can also occur in the intertrochanteric region, which is somewhat lower than the hip joint, in the portion of the upper femur that juts outward.
A third type of hip fracture, called an atypical fracture, can occur in people who have been treated for a long period of time with drugs that increase bone density (bisphosphonates).
A hip fracture almost always requires surgical repair or replacement, followed by physical therapy. Taking measures to maintain bone density and avoid falls can help prevent this type of fractures.
