Have you or a loved one suffered a hip fracture recently? 

Hip fractures are more common than you think, especially among older adults or anyone who’s had a bad fall. Here’s, the good news you need to know? 

With today’s medical advancements, there are several effective surgical treatments to help you regain mobility and return to normal life.

If you are confused and worried about the type of surgery you or your loved one will go through or the outcome of the surgery, then you must read this blog till the end. 

In this blog, you will learn about the common types of hip fractures and surgeries. 

What is a Hip Fracture? 

A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thigh bone (femur) near the hip joint. It’s a serious injury that affects mobility and often requires urgent medical care. 

Hip fractures are especially common among older adults due to weakened bones from conditions like osteoporosis. However, they can affect people of all ages, depending on the cause and bone health.

Causes of hip fractures vary with age and lifestyle. In older individuals, even a simple fall from standing height can cause a fracture, especially if their bones are fragile. 

Other risk factors include poor vision, balance issues, certain medications, and a lack of physical activity. In younger people, hip fractures typically result from high-impact trauma such as car accidents, falls from heights, or sports injuries.

The symptoms of a hip fracture usually include sudden, severe hip or groin pain, inability to stand or walk, and stiffness or bruising around the area. The affected leg may appear shorter or turned outward.

Hip fractures often require surgery, followed by physical therapy for recovery. Early treatment is essential to reduce complications, restore movement, and improve quality of life. 

How many types of hip fractures are there?

Before talking about surgery, it’s important to understand the types of hip fractures. The treatment depends on the exact location of the break in the bone. The three main types of hip fractures are:

Femoral neck fracture

This type of fracture happens just below the ball of your hip joint (the round part at the top of your thigh bone that fits into your hip socket).
It often damages the blood supply to this ball, which can make healing more difficult.

Intertrochanteric fracture

This break happens between the neck of the thigh bone (the narrow part just below the ball) and the shaft (the long, straight part of the thigh bone).

This type of fracture is usually more stable and heals more easily than other types.

Subtrochanteric fracture

This break happens a little lower down the thigh bone, just below the bony bumps near your hip (these bumps are called trochanters and are places where muscles attach).

These fractures are more complicated and often require stronger surgical support, such as metal rods or plates.

How many types of Hip Surgeries are there?

When it comes to treating a fractured hip, surgery is often the best and fastest way to help someone recover. The specific surgery depends on the patient’s age, bone condition, type of fracture, and overall health.

Here are the main types of hip fracture surgeries:

Repair with Hardware (Internal Fixation)

This method is used when the broken pieces of bone can be aligned and held together while they heal. An orthopedist surgeon uses screws, metal plates, or rods to stabilise the fracture.

This is best for:

  • Patients in the younger age group 
  • People who have minor fractures without any bone displacement.  
  • Patients with good bone health as their bones can support healing with screws or plates. 

Common tools used:

  • Cannulated screws 
  • Dynamic hip screws 
  • Intramedullary nails 

Replacing a portion of the Femur (Hemiarthroplasty)

If the ball of the femur (femoral head) is damaged or has poor blood supply, it may be replaced with a metal prosthesis. This is often done for femoral neck fractures in elderly patients.

This is best for:

  • Older patients with poor bone quality 
  • Fractures that affect the femoral head 

Replacing the whole hip joint (Total Hip Replacement)

In cases where both the femoral head and the socket are damaged (or if the patient has arthritis), a Total hip replacement (THR) may be the best option. This involves replacing both parts of the hip joint with artificial implants.

This option is best for:

  • Elderly patients 
  • Pre-existing arthritis 
  • Severe joint damage

What is hip bone surgery called?

The general term for surgery to fix a hip fracture is hip fracture surgery. However, depending on the technique, the procedures may be referred to as:

  • Internal fixation 
  • Hemiarthroplasty 
  • Total Hip Arthroplasty

So if you hear a doctor use these terms, now you know what they mean.

Which type of Hip Surgery is the best?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. The  best  surgery depends on:

  • The location and severity of the fracture 
  • The patient’s age and activity level 
  • Bone density and blood supply

That said:

  • Younger, active patients often do well with internal fixation. 
  • Elderly patients with displaced fractures may benefit more from a hemiarthroplasty or total hip replacement because healing can be unpredictable with just screws or plates.

The orthopaedic surgeon will choose what’s safest and offers the fastest path to mobility with the least chance of complications.

What is the most common hip fracture surgery?

Among older adults, the most common surgery for hip fractures is Hemiarthroplasty, where only the ball of the femur is replaced. It’s quicker than a total replacement, allows early mobilisation, and avoids complications from poor bone healing.

In younger patients, internal fixation is more commonly used since their bones tend to heal better.

Expert Hip & Joint care by Dr. Prashant Arya

If you or a loved one are dealing with a hip fracture, getting the right specialist makes all the difference.

Dr. Prashant Arya is a gold medalist orthopaedic surgeon with a fellowship in Arthroscopy and Sports Surgery. With over 8 years of experience, he has successfully treated:

  • Hip fractures and joint injuries 
  • Knee ligament injuries 
  • Sports injuries and trauma cases 
  • Complex joint conditions in patients of all ages 

Dr. Arya’s patient-first approach and advanced surgical skills make him one of the most trusted orthopaedic specialist in Jamshedpur. Whether it’s minimally invasive arthroscopy or complex hip replacements, you’re in the best hands.

If you’re searching for a hip replacement surgeon in Jamshedpur or need expert guidance on hip fracture care, Dr. Arya offers evidence-based solutions with compassionate care.

Live a pain-free life

A hip fracture can feel like a life-halting moment but with the right surgery and recovery plan, it doesn’t have to be. 

From hardware repairs to partial and total replacements, there’s a solution for every case. What matters most is getting care from an experienced orthopaedic specialist who understands your unique needs.

Book your consultation today

Consult Dr. Prashant Arya, the leading hip replacement surgeon in Jamshedpur, and receive expert care for the best possible outcomes. Take the first step towards a pain-free, active lifestyle.