It may be difficult to fathom breaking a hip and not being painfully aware of it. The truth is, that is a possibility, though rare, occurrence. On the other hand, there are instances of elderly people having hip fractures that can go undiagnosed for days.  Sometimes, a painful hip may be X-rayed and, if the fracture doesn’t show up, proper treatment is not offered. If you think you broke your hip or you believe your loved one has a broken hip there are some things you should know.

Symptoms of a Broken Hip

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are specific symptoms indicating a broken hip. If you broke your hip, you may experience:

  • An inability to move after falling
  • Severe pain in your hip or groin area
  • Severe pain when putting weight on the leg associated with the injury
  • Swelling, stiffness and bruising in the injured area of the hip
  • A shortened leg due to the injury
  • A turning outward of the leg

What to Do If You Think You Broke Your Hip

Most likely, you’ve fallen. If you can reach a phone, or you have a life alert system, now would be the time to use it. You need to get to the hospital before any further damage is done. Stay calm and call 911 for an ambulance. It is important to stay still while you wait for the ambulance. Keep warm during this time. When the paramedics come, they will take over and let you know what, if anything, you need to do.

If you are with someone when they break their hip, don’t move the person. Call 911 and give the operator the details. Make the person comfortable and be sure to keep them warm. You will need their medical and insurance information for the hospital, so gather those papers if possible.

Chances are, the person will be very concerned about the predicament they find themselves in. Do your best to be a calming presence and reassure them. The wait for help can seem long even though it may be short in reality. Even though it may sound cliché, keeping a calm, positive attitude will be a tremendous help.

Falling can be a life-altering experience for some people. At Frohlich, Gordon & Beason, P.A., we understand how falls can impact a family. We specialize in personal injury law, so if you or a loved one has experienced a fall resulting in personal injury, please contact us for a complimentary initial consultation. Our offices are located in Port Charlotte, North Port, and Englewood. We serve the southwestern Florida area with expert legal representation in a variety of personal injury cases. Let us help you with yours because we are the lawyers who care.