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Hip replacement for a fractured hip
If you fracture your hip will they give you a hip replacement? What happens if you fracture your pelvis? What do they do for that?
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@sandwalk Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect where we are patients and caregivers sharing our health journeys, not medical professionals. So I am answering your questions based on being an observer of friends and family members in this situation.
First the hip - the most common "hip fracture" is a break at the head of the femur either the ball itself breaks, or it separates from the femur. In the case of an incomplete, or non-displaced fracture, the docs may first try to let it heal naturally, without surgery IF the hip joint appears to be in good condition. If healing doesn't begin after 3-4 weeks, they will schedule surgery.
If the hip does not heal naturally, or the fracture is complete, surgery is likely. Depending on what the surgeon finds, either on the images or during surgery, they may do a partial or complete hip replacement. Partial means the femur is cut, a stem and ball re placed. Complete means the acetabular joint on the pelvis is cleaned out and fitted with a liner as well.
The pelvis is a different situation, and again there are 2 types of fractures with very different treatments. You can read more about it here:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pelvic-fracture-symptoms
Are you at risk for these fractures, or are you concerned about a loved one? If so, there are exercises for balance and stability that can help reduce the risk of falls, which cause most hip and pelvis fractures.