Broken Hip

A broken hip is a serious broken bone injury in that it requires surgical intervention if a person ever hopes to be able to walk again. Even after surgery, being able to walk normally may not be an option, but some quality of life can be restored. Other times, a person can recover completely after their surgery.

Nonetheless, this is an extremely painful injury that can require very lengthy rehabilitation. It is also one of the costliest broken bone injuries a person can sustain. If this injury is due to someone else’s negligence, it is important to seek compensation for the injuries because the medical bills mount fast. Even if you have your own insurance that pays, it may not be enough to pay the expenses related to the injury. With the help of an experienced broken hip attorney in Philadelphia, you can get the legal help you need to file an injury claim.

Types of Hip Fractures

More than 300,000 people per year are hospitalized with broken hips. Most of the hip breaks occur where the hip and femur meet. While many hip injuries are the result of slip and fall accidents, auto accidents are also a common cause. In fact, approximately 14,000 broken hips are attributed to car accidents every year due to how airbags offer more protection to the chest and torso area.

There are two different kinds of hip breaks:

• Intertrochanteric hip fracture – This is a break that can typically be repaired with the use of screws and plates because it occurs just below the femoral neck. After proper rehabilitation, a person can be back to walking normally as long as there are no further complications.
• Femoral neck fracture – This is the type of hip fracture where the ball-and-socket hip joint is broken off from the femur. The dislocation is very serious and is more complicated to repair than an intertrochanteric hip fracture. This is the type of hip fracture that may see more complications.

Because the femoral neck fracture is more complicated to fix, it is the type that leads to lifelong disability. A person may be able to recover their ability to walk, but there may be pain and limited motion for the long-term. Many individuals suffering from this type of hip fracture may need the assistance of a cane.

Common Broken Hip Complications

The treatment for a broken hip is almost always surgery, which is highly effective. However, statistically, only 25% of people who suffer a broken hip are able to fully recover and there are times the complications can be life threatening. For instance, an elderly person who falls and breaks their hip is going to be bedridden. This increases their chances of developing pneumonia and pneumonia is a common killer of the elderly.

Common complications of broken hips include non-union where the fracture refuses to heal, mal-union where the fracture heals in an abnormal position, infection, blood clots that can be fatal, hip implant failure, lack of blood supply to the hip resulting in necrosis, and poor positioning of the implant.

Of these complications, infection is a significant issue. Infection can lead to additional surgeries or can spread throughout the body and become fatal. The causes can be a bacterium that makes its way into the wound from contaminated medical instruments or simple contact with a contaminated surface. It can be very difficult to get rid of an infection, especially if it spreads to other parts of the body internally and then works its way through the skin causing open sores.

Get the Compensation You Deserve with the Help of a Broken Hip Attorney in Philadelphia

A broken hip is a very painful condition that can require many surgeries and cause a person to struggle with walking difficulties for the remainder of their life. When the broken hip is the result of an accident that was due to someone else’s negligence, that fact alone adds to the devastation. If you or a loved one has experienced an accident due to someone else’s negligence that led to a broken hip, there may be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. To learn about how Brotherly Law can help you, call (215) 545-8500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.