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Types of Hip Fractures

What Are the Different Types of Hip Fracture?

A fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone. There can be either a single break or multiple breaks in a bone. A hip fracture is classified by the specific area of the break and the type of break in the bone.

The most common types of hip fractures are:

  • Femoral neck fracture: A femoral neck fracture occurs one to two inches from the hip joint. These fractures are common among  older adults and can be related to osteoporosis. This type of fracture may cause a complication because the break usually cuts off the blood supply to the head of the femur which forms the hip joint.
  • Intertrochanteric hip fracture: An intertrochanteric hip fracture occurs three to four inches from the hip joint. This type of fracture does not interrupt the blood supply to the bone and may be  easier to repair.

Around 90 percent of hip fractures fall into these two categories in relatively equal numbers. Another type of fracture called a stress fracture of the hip may be harder to diagnose. This is a hairline crack in the femur that may not involve the whole bone. Overuse and repetitive motion can cause a stress fracture. The symptoms of this injury may mimic those of tendonitis or muscle strain.