Hip Fracture Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC
A hip fracture is a serious orthopedic injury that requires prompt evaluation and treatment to restore mobility and reduce the risk of complications. Whether caused by a fall, sports injury, motor vehicle accident, or weakened bones due to osteoporosis, a hip fracture can significantly impact your ability to walk and perform daily activities. Blake Ohlson, M.D. provides expert diagnosis and treatment for hip fractures in Mount Pleasant, SC, offering personalized care to help patients recover safely and regain independence.
Hip fractures vary in severity and location, making an accurate diagnosis essential for selecting the appropriate treatment. Dr. Ohlson evaluates each patient using advanced imaging and develops individualized treatment plans that may include non-surgical management or surgical fracture repair based on the type of fracture, overall health, and activity level. Patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and Summerville trust Dr. Ohlson for comprehensive orthopedic care focused on restoring function and achieving the best possible recovery.
What is a Hip Fracture?
The hip joint is a “ball and socket” joint. The “ball” is the head of the femur or thighbone, and the “socket” is the cup-shaped acetabulum. The joint surface is covered by a smooth articular surface that allows pain-free movement in the joint.
A hip fracture is a break that occurs near the hip in the upper part of the femur or thighbone. The thighbone has two bony processes on the upper part - the greater and lesser trochanters. The lesser trochanter projects from the base of the femoral neck on the back of the thighbone. Hip fractures can occur either due to a break in the femoral neck, in the area between the greater and lesser trochanter or below the lesser trochanter.
What are the Causes of Hip Fractures?
Hip fracture is most frequently caused after minor trauma in elderly patients with weak bones, and by high-energy trauma or serious injuries in the young. The long-term use of certain medicines increases your risk for hip fractures.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hip Fractures?
The signs and symptoms of hip fractures include:
- Pain in the groin or outer upper thigh
- Swelling and tenderness
- Discomfort while rotating the hip
- Shortening of the injured leg
- Outward or inward turning of the foot and knee of the injured leg
How are Hip Fractures Diagnosed?
Your doctor may order an X-ray to diagnose your hip fracture. Other imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may also be performed to detect the fracture.
Depending on the area of the femur involved, hip fractures are classified as:
- Intracapsular fracture
- Intertrochanteric fracture
- Subtrochanteric fracture
What is the Treatment for Hip Fractures?
Hip fractures can be corrected and aligned with non-operative and operative methods:
Traction may be an option to treat your condition if you are not fit for surgery. Skeletal traction may be applied under local anesthesia, where screws, pins, and wires are inserted into the femur, and a pulley system is set up at the end of the bed to bear heavy weights. These heavy weights help in correcting the misaligned bones until the injury heals.
Hip fractures can be surgically treated with external fixation, intramedullary fixation, or by using plates and screws.
Why Choose Dr. Blake Ohlson for Hip Fracture Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC?
A hip fracture requires experienced orthopedic care to ensure proper healing and help patients return to their normal activities as safely as possible. Dr. Blake Ohlson combines advanced orthopedic expertise with compassionate, patient-focused care to deliver comprehensive treatment for hip fractures.
Patients in Mount Pleasant, SC choose Dr. Ohlson because he offers:
- Fellowship-trained expertise in orthopedic surgery and fracture care
- Comprehensive evaluation of hip fractures using advanced diagnostic imaging
- Personalized treatment plans based on the fracture type, overall health, and recovery goals
- Expertise in both non-surgical and surgical treatment options
- Advanced surgical techniques designed to restore stability and mobility
- Coordinated rehabilitation to improve strength, balance, and function after treatment
- Individualized recovery plans focused on helping patients return to daily activities safely
- Convenient care for patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and Summerville
Dr. Ohlson is dedicated to providing timely, evidence-based care that supports healing while helping patients regain confidence and mobility.
Hip Fracture FAQs
What is a hip fracture?
A hip fracture is a break in the upper portion of the femur (thighbone) near the hip joint. Fractures may occur in the femoral neck, intertrochanteric region, or subtrochanteric region, and each type may require a different treatment approach.
What causes a hip fracture?
Hip fractures are commonly caused by falls in older adults with weakened bones due to osteoporosis. In younger individuals, they are more often the result of high-energy trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or sports injuries.
What are the symptoms of a hip fracture?
Common symptoms include severe hip or groin pain, difficulty or inability to bear weight, swelling, tenderness, shortening of the injured leg, and an outward or inward rotation of the foot or leg.
How is a hip fracture diagnosed?
Dr. Ohlson performs a physical examination and typically orders X-rays to confirm the fracture. MRI or other advanced imaging may be recommended if additional detail is needed or if a fracture is suspected but not clearly visible on X-rays.
Does every hip fracture require surgery?
Not always. While many hip fractures are treated surgically to restore alignment and stability, some patients may be candidates for non-surgical treatment depending on the type of fracture, overall health, and ability to tolerate surgery.
What surgical treatments are available for hip fractures?
Depending on the fracture pattern, surgical treatment may include plates and screws, intramedullary fixation (rods), or external fixation to stabilize the bone and promote healing.
How long does recovery take after a hip fracture?
Recovery varies depending on the severity of the fracture, treatment method, age, and overall health. Many patients begin rehabilitation soon after treatment, with full recovery often taking several months.
Why is early treatment important?
Prompt evaluation and treatment help reduce complications, improve fracture healing, restore mobility sooner, and lower the risk of long-term disability.
Schedule a Hip Fracture Evaluation in Mount Pleasant, SC
A hip fracture requires timely orthopedic care to achieve the best possible outcome. Whether your injury resulted from a fall, accident, or another traumatic event, early diagnosis and personalized treatment can help restore mobility and support a successful recovery.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Ohlson for expert hip fracture evaluation and treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC. Proudly serving patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding South Carolina communities, Dr. Ohlson provides comprehensive orthopedic care focused on helping you heal safely and return to an active, independent lifestyle.