Senior citizens are the group most vulnerable to hip fractures. For younger people, something like an auto accident or a fall from great height might cause one, but a normal sort of fall or impact probably would not.

Loss of bone density

After about age 65, we start losing bone mass, making our bones weaker. This is about two to three times more likely to happen to women as to men. The bones gradually lose minerals, especially calcium, and become more brittle.

Some causes

• Osteoporosis - this condition affects more women than men and is a severe loss of bone mass. Bones develop spaces in their structure due to a lack of required minerals, especially calcium. When an accident victim has osteoporosis, a minor fall or impact can break the hip or other bone.
• Prolonged immobility - when a person must be on bed rest, or in a wheelchair, this lack of movement gradually causes loss of bone density. Our bones retain density better when we exercise, which is why daily walking is so often recommended for older people.
• Some medical conditions - conditions that lead to inactivity, or to impaired digestion and absorption of minerals, or to poor muscle control, decrease the bone density and/or increase the risk of falling
• Heredity - if we naturally have small and slender bones, or a family history of osteoporosis, we're more likely to sustain a hip fracture at some point. Asians and Caucasians have been found statistically to have higher incidences of osteoporosis.
• Poor nutrition - when our childhood diet lacks calcium and Vitamin D, we're at greater risk of osteoporosis, and a severe eating disorder at any time of life can have the same effect.
• Some medications - there are some that increase the pace of bone loss or calcium and Vitamin D deficiencies.

Treatment

• If the victim is going to walk again, surgery is required, and the exact procedure will depend on where exactly the fracture is. It involves metal screws and plates which hold the bone in position while it heals.
• A total hip replacement is the insertion of an artificial bone in the upper leg, along with an artificial socket in the pelvis.
• The hospital stay is about a week, usually followed by physical therapy.

Severe complications sometimes occur after the surgery, such as:

• Bedsores
• Blood clots in the leg veins
• Pneumonia
• Urinary tract infection

If you have suffered a hip fracture as a result of an accident where somebody was negligent, you may be able to file a claim and be compensated for your medical costs, pain, and lost wages. An experienced personal injury lawyer can begin investigating while you are recovering, gather facts, request copies of relevant documents, and assess your legal situation.

There is a statute of limitations, so do not delay too long before you consult an attorney. Allowing plenty of time for investigation before suit is filed is crucial to having a successful case. Contact Illinois personal injury lawyer Barry Doyle for your free legal consultation. No recovery, no fee.

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