Dr. Cynthia Kahlenberg, MD, MPH

Hip fractures typically occur on the ball of the hip joint, called the femoral head. Types of hip ball fractures include:

• Femoral neck fractures, which occur on the upper end of the femur (thigh bone). The femoral neck is located just beneath the hip ball.
• Trochanteric hip fractures, which occur on a bony bump beneath the femoral neck.
• Although hip socket (acetabulum) fractures are possible, they are less common.

Hip fractures are painful and may make it difficult to stand or walk. If left untreated, patients may be confined to bed rest, which can itself lead to further complications, including muscle weakening, pneumonia, and bedsores. Treatment for hip fractures aims to relieve pain and allow patients to return to their normal routines.

Non-surgical treatment of hip fractures, called closed reductionxf, requires no incisions. A closed reduction is typically performed for patients under five, those who cannot undergo surgery due to illness, and for fractures that are stable and may heal within days. Most often, surgery is recommended. Hip fracture surgery often entails one of the following procedures:

• Hip replacement, which can be partial or total. In this procedure, a surgeon replaces the damaged hip with artificial components, or prostheses.
• Open reduction, which is often performed with internal fixation (ORIF). To perform ORIF, a doctor will make an incision to expose the fracture and then move the bones back into proper position. Screws, pins, or plates - types of internal fixators - will be used to keep the bones in place.

Following surgery, patients may stay in the hospital for a few days or weeks. Additionally, patients may need crutches or a walker after their procedure, and their doctor may recommend limiting movement to avoid another hip injury. Physical therapy can help patients to avoid complications and return to normal activity.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.