Dr. Jonathon Mitchell Brown, DO

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.

Both injection and aspiration are techniques that involve inserting a needle connected to a syringe directly into the joint. Aspiration involves the removal of excess fluid, and injection is the placement of medication directly into the joint space via the needle. Both procedures may be performed at the same time. In both cases a local anesthetic may be used, the skin will be cleaned and disinfected, and then the needle will be inserted. In some cases, especially if the injection or aspiration is in a large and deep joint such as the hip or spine, ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the exact location desired.

In some cases, irritation to the joint can cause fluid to build up so significantly that the joint hurts and can no longer move well. Aspiration removes some of the excess fluid and relieves the pressure. In addition, aspiration can be used to provide a sample of joint fluid if it needs to be examined microscopically for the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or crystal formations.

Certain injuries and diseases that affect joints are inflammatory in nature, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis or gout. These diseases may be helped by the local injection of anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected joint. In this case, corticosteroids such as methylprednisone are usually used. Relief from the pain may be felt right away and may last for weeks or even months.

In some cases, such as with osteoarthritis, the cartilage buffer between the two bones wears down and pain comes from bones rubbing against each other. In this case, injection of a lubricating agent such as hyaluronic acid may be beneficial. It provides a slippery cushion between the bones to relieve pain that can last for months.

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.