Condition Lookup

Hip Fractures

Sub-category: Hip and Thigh Injuries

Symptoms:
severe hip pain; inability to move the hip or leg; swelling, bruising around the hip area; shortened and externally rotated leg; difficulty bearing weight or walking

Root Cause:
A fracture in the upper part of the femur (thigh bone) near the hip joint, often caused by trauma, falls, or osteoporotic weakening of the bone.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays, and possibly CT scans or MRIs to assess the type and extent of the fracture.

Treatment:
Surgical intervention is commonly required, such as hip replacement or internal fixation with plates, screws, or rods. Non-surgical treatment may involve immobilization and bed rest in some cases, but this is less common.

Medications:
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) for pain management. Opioids (e.g., morphine , oxycodone ) may be prescribed for more severe pain in the short term. Muscle relaxants may also be prescribed to alleviate muscle spasms post-surgery. These medications are typically classified as analgesics (pain relievers) and muscle relaxants.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in older adults, particularly those with osteoporosis; affects approximately 250,000 people in the U.S. annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (elderly), osteoporosis, previous hip fractures, certain medications (e.g., steroids), high-impact trauma (e.g., falls or accidents).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With prompt treatment, the prognosis is good for regaining mobility. However, older adults may experience complications such as prolonged recovery, infections, or hip replacement failure.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) due to immobility. Infection, especially after surgery. Nonunion or malunion of the fracture. Chronic pain or post-traumatic arthritis. Loss of function or mobility.

Femoral Shaft Fractures

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Lower Extremity Injuries

Sub-category: Hip and Thigh Injuries

Symptoms:
severe pain in the thigh or hip area; swelling, bruising, and deformity in the leg; inability to move the leg; inability to bear weight or walk

Root Cause:
A fracture of the femur (thigh bone) along its length, often resulting from high-impact trauma, such as car accidents or falls from a height.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
X-rays are the primary diagnostic tool, but CT or MRI scans may be used for complex fractures to evaluate bone and soft tissue damage.

Treatment:
Typically requires surgery, including the use of intramedullary rods or plates to stabilize the bone. In some cases, traction may be used temporarily.

Medications:
Analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) for pain relief. Opioid analgesics (e.g., morphine ) for severe pain management immediately after the fracture. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed if muscle spasms occur post-surgery. These medications fall under the categories of pain relievers and muscle relaxants.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively uncommon but serious, typically affecting individuals in motor vehicle accidents or those with high-energy trauma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact trauma, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, osteoporosis, and other bone disorders.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with proper surgical intervention and rehabilitation, though recovery can take several months.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection or delayed healing following surgery. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Chronic pain or limited range of motion. Nonunion or malunion of the fracture.

Hip Dislocations (Anterior, Posterior)

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Lower Extremity Injuries

Sub-category: Hip and Thigh Injuries

Symptoms:
severe pain in the hip area; inability to move the hip or leg; deformity or abnormal positioning of the leg; numbness or tingling in the leg or foot; swelling and bruising

Root Cause:
Dislocation of the femoral head from the acetabulum (hip socket), often due to high-impact trauma such as motor vehicle accidents or falls from a height. Anterior dislocations involve the femur moving forward, while posterior dislocations involve the femur moving backward.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination along with X-rays to confirm the dislocation and evaluate for associated fractures.

Treatment:
Emergency reduction (manipulation to reposition the femoral head back into the socket), followed by immobilization. In some cases, surgery may be needed if the dislocation is associated with fractures or if reduction is unsuccessful.

Medications:
Analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) for pain management. Opioid pain medications (e.g., morphine , oxycodone ) for acute pain, especially following the reduction process. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed to relieve muscle spasms during recovery. These are categorized as pain relievers and muscle relaxants.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively rare, accounting for 0.5-3% of all hip injuries, but can occur more frequently in high-impact accidents.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma (e.g., motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries), history of previous dislocations, hip arthritis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most patients recover well with prompt treatment, although there may be a risk of post-traumatic arthritis or complications related to nerve damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to the femoral head). Nerve damage, particularly to the sciatic nerve in posterior dislocations. Osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthritis. Recurrence of dislocations.