Hip Replacements after a Fracture
A car accident can lead to a wide variety of different injuries. Some of these are more serious than others, and one of the most serious injuries is a hip fracture. Unfortunately, hip fractures are more common than many people realize. According to information which has been published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- On an annual basis, there are more than 300,000 hip fractures suffered by people aged 65 and older.
- The vast majority of hip fractures are sustained in traumatic accidents, such as car accidents and slip and fall injuries.
- Any direct impact to the side of the leg can lead to a hip fracture.
- Hip fractures are more common in women than in men.
- Osteoporosis, a disease that leads to low bone density, drastically increases the chances of sustaining a hip fracture.
Mechanism of a Hip Fracture
If people are involved in an auto accident, they might sustain a hip fracture because of an impact to the front of their car. When they extend their legs to the front of the car, the forces at the front of the vehicle are transmitted up through the legs and into the hips. This is more common if people lock their knees. The force is transmitted into the head of the femur, which is forced out through the back of the hip.
The other way that people commonly sustain a hip fracture is through a slip and fall injury. Whether it is a fall on a patch of ice, a missed step, or even a fall on the stairs, people might land on their hip, leading to a hip fracture.
Hip Replacements After a Hip Fracture
There are several complications that people can sustain following a hip fracture. One of the most severe is called avascular necrosis. This occurs when the blood supply to the head of the femur is cut off. This is often due to a bone fragment that severs the blood supply. The bone cells, like any other cell in the body, needs a steady supply of blood to stay alive. When the artery is cut, this blood supply is removed. The bone cells start to die, leading to a severe complication called avascular necrosis. This can lead to the death of the head of the femur. As a result, this will need to be repaired by means of a hip replacement.
Watch YouTube Video: Exercise Routine for Hip Recovery: Total Workout Tips. This video provides an exercise routine to help speed up the recovery process after a hip fracture replacement.
Help from a Sacramento Injury Lawyer
When people get a hip replacement, they often need to learn how to walk again. This requires a tremendous amount of physical therapy which could cause someone to miss work. This can place their family under a significant amount of stress. It is important to reach out for help during these times of need. Meeting with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento is a good idea. A trained professional should review the cause of the accident because you and your family might be entitled to financial compensation.
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Sacramento Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer. A hip replacement is a serious operation. If you or a family member has suffered severe injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. I would be happy to offer friendly, free advice.
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