Hip fractures in the elderly

A hip fracture is the commonest reason for an elderly person to be admitted to an orthopaedic ward. The injury is generally caused by a fall or trip from a standing height. Most patients are elderly and female with many having associated comorbidity. The essence of treatment is early effective surgery to either fix the fracture or replace the fracture bone with an arthroplasty. After surgery early mobilization and discharge back home as soon as able should be encouraged.