Evaluation

How will my fracture be evaluated?

First aid for people who have suffered a hip fracture consists of warming the patient, splinting the leg by strapping it to the other leg, and transport to hospital. It is helpful if the rescuers take the patient's usual medication to the hospital with them.

In the Emergency Room the staff will assess the patient's general status and make him/her comfortable. The ER doctor will arrange for x-rays of the hip and pelvis and consult with an orthopaedic surgeon if a fracture is confirmed. It is often necessary to consult with an internal medicine specialist if surgical treatment is recommended.

The orthopaedic surgeon's evaluation will include a general assessment of the patient's health and the risks of surgery. The examination of the leg often shows that the limb is shortened and rolled outwards. It is tender when the hip area is felt and any movement of the hip is painful. Rolling the foot in or out moves the hip so the leg will often be stabilized with sandbags or traction to reduce movement and pain. The patient's medical condition may require a period of treatment prior to surgery. However it is best to get the surgery done as quickly as possible to relieve the patient's pain.