What is a hip fracture?

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), a hip fracture is a break in the upper quarter of the thigh bone (medically known as the femur). The extent of the break depends on the forces that are involved. The type of surgery used to treat a hip fracture is primarily based on the bones and soft tissues affected or on the levtrigel of the fracture.1

If you're younger, a hip fracture is more likely to be associated with high-energy trauma, such as an auto accident or sports injury.

For patients, especially those with osteoporosis - low bone density - two of the most common causes are a fall or a direct blow to the side of the hip.1

Why is it dangerous?

For older patients, the stress of trauma, surgery, the long recovery time, and the loss of mobility and independence can severely affect their health and their life expectancy.2 Hip fracture rates among the US population are the highest in the world.3 Every year, some 300,000 people aged 65 and older are hospitalized for a hip fracture.4

What are the types of hip fractures?

Three primary types of hip fractures:

  • A femoral neck fracture, also known as an intracapsular fracture, occurs at the upper end of the femur, near the "ball" of the hip joint.1
  • An intertrochanteric fracture, also known as extracapsular fracture, occurs in the area between the Greater and Lesser Trochanters - a pair of ridges at the top of the femur bone, just below the femoral neck.1
  • A subtrochanteric fracture occurs just below the lesser trochanter.1

50% of all hip fractures are intertrochanteric.5

Causes and risk factors

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of hip fracture.6 Age is considered a major risk factor. Other possible risk factors for hip fracture may include, but are not limited to, the following7:

  • Excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Low body weight
  • Tall stature
  • Vision problems
  • Dementia
  • Medications that cause bone loss
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Institutional living, such as an assisted-care facility
  • Increased risk for falls, related to conditions such as weakness, disability, or unsteady gait6

The goal: shortening recovery and minimizing risks of recurrence

If you do suffer an intertrochanteric hip fracture and you're facing surgery to repair the break, keep in mind these two important goals:

Quickest possible recovery - in order to return to your best mobility and give yourself the best chance of independence after surgery, your goal should be to choose a repair approach with a proven record of reduced
postoperative pain for faster recovery.

Maximum mobility - the path back to full mobility is easier if your repaired hip is stable, helping you regain confidence in your balance and your ability to get around.

Consider the TRIGEN◊ INTERTAN◊ Intertrochanteric Antegrade Nail

The TRIGEN INTERTAN Intertrochanteric Nail is used specifically for intertrochanteric hip fractures and is proven to offer

Faster

time to fracture union7

Proven

high return to pre-fracture status7

Lower

risk of implant failure and non-union7

Reduced

post-operative pain7

Possible adverse effects

  1. Implant failure
  2. Limb shortening or loss of anatomic position with nonunion or malunion with rotation or angulation.
  3. Infections, both deep and superficial.
  4. Irritational injury of soft tissues, including impingement syndrome.
  5. Although rare, metal sensitivity reactions and/or allergic reactions to foreign materials have been reported in patients.

Downloadable Resource

TRIGEN INTERTAN Claims Brochure

Important safety notes

Not all patients are candidates for the TRIGEN INTERTAN Hip Fracture Procedure. Discuss your condition and treatment options with your surgeon. Individual results of hip fracture repair can vary. There are potential risks to hip fracture surgery such as implant failure, limb length discrepancy, loss of anatomic position (nonunion, malunion with rotation or angulation), infections (both deep and superficial), irritational injury of soft tissue (including impingement syndrome), and metal sensitivity reactions and/or allergic reactions to foreign materials. Do not perform high impact activities such as running and jumping unless your surgeons tells you these activities are acceptable. Early device failure, breakage or loosening may occur if you do not follow your surgeon's limitations on activity level, fail to control body weight or suffer from accidents such as falls. The information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant as medical advice. Every patient's case is unique and each patient should follow his or her doctor's specific instructions. Please discuss nutrition, medication and treatment options with your doctor to make sure you are getting the proper care for your particular situation.

References

  1. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-fractures/
  2. Huo, K., Hashim, S. I., Yong, K. L., Su, H., & Qu, Q. M. (2016). Impact and risk factors of post-stroke bone fracture. World journal of experimental medicine, 6(1), 1–8.
  3. Dhanwal, D. K., Dennison, E. M., Harvey, N. C., & Cooper, C. (2011). Epidemiology of hip fracture: Worldwide geographic variation. Indian journal of orthopaedics, 45(1), 15–22.
  4. https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adulthipfx.html
  5. Ahn, J., & Bernstein, J. (2010). Fractures in brief: intertrochanteric hip fractures. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 468(5), 1450–1452.
  6. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/bones-joints-and-muscles/hip-fracture/causes/risk-factors.html
  7. Nherera, L., Dunbar, C., Ridgway, J., Horner, A.The TRIGEN INTERTAN Intertrochanteric Antegrade Nail: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Outcomes Compared to Standard of Care in the Treatment of Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures. 2017;4(1).

All information provided on this website is for information purposes only. Every patient's case is unique and each patient should follow his or her doctor's specific instructions. Please discuss nutrition, medication and treatment options with your doctor to make sure you are getting the proper care for your particular situation. If you are seeking this information in an emergency situation, please call 911 and seek emergency help.

All materials copyright © 2020 Smith & Nephew, All Rights Reserved.