Why is hip fracture a problem?
Hip fracture can be a problem in two particular ways. If the fracture is too close to the hip joint, there is a traumatic loss of blood supply to the femoral head, leading to its softening and then later arthritis. This incidence is about 25% to 33% (i.e. in one fourth to one third of the cases). Secondly, as these fractures are commonest in the elderly, there are medical problems associated with it together with osteoporosis (soft bones). This makes treatment of the hip fracture in this group of people most difficult. Furthermore, when the elderly are confined to bed for even a short duration, their lung condition can rapidly deteriorate.
