Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers | April 17, 2026 | Personal Injury
Hip fractures can be highly debilitating injuries that cause severe pain and prevent you from moving normally. If you have sustained this type of fracture because of another party’s behavior, you may be entitled to begin a personal injury claim to recover your losses. Learn more about hip fractures and what legal options may be available.
Parts of the Hip
Hip fractures are typically named or described based on which specific area of the upper femur is affected. To better understand the different types of hip fractures, it helps to know the basic anatomy of the hip joint.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint where the top of the thigh bone (femur) meets the pelvis. The “ball” is the rounded head of the femur, and it fits into a cup-shaped socket in the pelvis called the acetabulum. Just below the ball is a narrower section of bone called the femoral neck.
Further down the femur are bony areas called the greater and lesser trochanters, which serve as attachment points for muscles. The region just below these structures is called the subtrochanteric area and transitions into the long shaft of the femur.
Common Types of Hip Fractures
There are a few types of hip fractures to be aware of.
Femoral Neck Fracture
The femoral neck fracture occurs within the hip capsule and just below the ball of the joint. These are not as common as other types of hip breaks, but they can occur in young adults. They can cause severe pain and can make it impossible for the affected side of the body to bear weight. The leg can look deformed, too.
Intertrochanteric Fracture
An intertrochanteric fracture happens outside the hip joint capsule. It impacts the region at the start of the femur and the bony structure called the lesser trochanter. They occur most often in older people.
Subtrochanteric Fracture
Subtrochanteric fractures tend to be the result of high-energy trauma, such as speeding accidents. This type of break occurs below the lesser trochanter and involves the upper shaft of the femur. Subtrochanteric fractures tend to be more severe than other types of hip fractures.
Stress Fracture
This type of fracture involves a hairline crack in the femur. It’s often the result of overuse and repetitive motions.
Most Common Causes of Hip Fractures
In older people, hip fractures are typically the result of falls, including slip and fall accidents. The risk is even greater if the person has osteoporosis or other age-related bone issues.
In younger people, hip fractures are typically the result of motor vehicle accidents or falls from heights. In some instances, overuse or repetitive motions can cause these injuries. That can occur in people who play sports or are very active, as well as in those who perform certain work tasks that strain the hip joint.
Treating Hip Fractures
A hip fracture will typically require surgery. The sooner the surgery occurs, the better the chances of the break fully healing. It may be necessary to add screws, plates, or rods to hold the bone together while it heals.
In more severe instances, you may need a partial or total hip replacement. A partial replacement usually involves using a prosthesis for the head of the femur. With a total replacement, both the head of the femur and the pelvic bone socket are replaced with prosthetics.
After the surgery is complete, the rehabilitation process will begin. This therapy can be lengthy and stressful. You may also need medications to manage pain and avoid infections. You should follow your doctor’s personalized treatment plan closely.
Contact the Stuart Personal Injury Lawyers at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you sustained a hip fracture because of another party’s misconduct, you may be able to file a claim to recover your losses. You will need to prove that the defendant acted negligently or wrongfully. The best way to do this is to hire an attorney to assist you. You should not have to navigate this type of serious injury on your own if someone else is to blame for it.
For more information, please contact the Stuart, Port St. Lucie, or Palm Beach Gardens personal injury law firm of Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
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