Hip Fracture
Alternate Names : Broken Hip
A hip fracture is another term for a broken hip. It is a complete or partial
break in the top part of the thighbone. The thighbone, also called the femur,
inserts into the hip joint.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
A broken hip is most often the result of an injury. Falls and car accidents are
the most common sources of these injuries. Factors that increase a person's
risk of hip fracture include:
normal aging, which
causes the bones to become more brittle
osteoporosis, or excess bone thinning that results from loss of
calcium in the bone
menopause. During menopause, the ovaries stop making estrogen,
which normally protects against bone loss.
removal of the ovaries
diet low in calcium
or vitamin D
sedentary lifestyle
eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia
family history of osteoporosis
medications such as corticosteroids, certain medications for seizures, and some medications used for
high blood pressure
excess alcohol
intake
smoking
hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too
much thyroid hormone
hypogonadism, a
condition in which the ovaries in women or testes in men do not function
normally
hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which the parathyroid gland
makes too much parathyroid hormone. This hormone can affect calcium levels in
the bloodstream and weaken bone further.
rheumatoid arthritis, a
condition in which the body attacks its own joint tissue
cancers affecting the
bone
physical abuse,
including
child abuse, elder
abuse, and spousal
abuse
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