Welcome to our health education library. The information shared below is provided to you as an educational and informational source only and is not intended to replace a medical examination or consultation, or medical advice given to you by a physician or medical professional.
Hip Fracture Surgery: Types
The type of surgery you have often depends on where the hip is fractured. In some cases, an internal fixation is used. These are pins, screws, or a rod placed into the fractured bone to hold it in place. In other cases, part or all of the hip is replaced. This is done when there is a lack of blood supply to the head of the femur.
Metal pins are often used to repair fractures along the neck of the femur. The pins are inserted through the bone to keep it stable while it heals.
A metal compression screw may be used to repair a fracture down through the femur. As the bone heals, the screw gets tighter. This allows the edges of the bone to grow together.
A metal rod or nail may be used if the fracture is along the shaft of the femur. The rod is inserted into the bone shaft. A screw keeps the bone edges together as they heal.
Hip Replacement
Artificial parts may be used to replace part or all of the hip joint. For a total hip replacement, a new stem and ball are placed in the femur. These fit into a new cup secured in the pelvis. For a partial hip replacement, only the stem and ball are replaced.