Healing From a Hip Fracture After a Tampa Slip and Fall

Hip fractures are common after slips and falls in Tampa. These injuries can take months or years to heal, depending on the circumstances of the accident. For some, hip fractures never truly heal, and these patients are left with permanent disabilities. What can you expect from the healing process after fracturing your hip? How do you access effective treatment, and how can you maximize your potential compensation?

A Hip Fracture Can Take Over a Year to Heal 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, hip fractures generally take six months to one year to fully heal. The specific healing process depends on the type of hip fracture you have experienced. Possibilities include femoral head fractures, femoral neck fractures, and intertrochanteric fractures.  The most common type of hip fracture is a femoral neck fracture.

Although a hip fracture can take only a few months to fully heal, the overall recovery process is usually much longer. This is because after the bone has fully healed, it takes additional time to regain strength and mobility. This requires patients to undergo many months of rehabilitation. This is often the most challenging part of the entire healing process.

Specific timelines also depend on your age and overall health. If you already struggle with issues like osteoporosis, your hip could take longer to heal. Elderly patients generally heal more slowly than younger patients, so your age could also affect your overall healing timeline. Speak with a doctor to determine how long your healing process might take.

Most People Require Surgery After Suffering Hip Fractures 

Surgical intervention is required in almost all cases of hip fractures. This is because doctors must access the femur to properly realign the bones. If the bone heals in a non-ideal manner, the patient may struggle to walk and bear weight for the rest of their life. Surgery may also speed up the healing process while preventing complications like infections, blood clots, and severe pain.

Older patients are more likely to need hip implants, and these implants are placed during surgeries. In contrast, younger patients may have the ability to heal naturally without the need for hip implants.

You Might Need a Cane or Walker

Even younger patients may need to walk with a cane or walker during their recovery. For elderly patients, this might be a permanent new reality. Depending on the healing process, patients may also struggle with the permanent loss of mobility. This may make pastimes like hiking and sports completely impossible.

Can a Tampa Slip and Fall Attorney Help Me? 

A Tampa slip and fall attorney may be able to help you recover compensation after suffering a fractured hip. The healing process is different for each individual patient, and long-term outcomes depend on your age, health, and the severity of the fracture. Once you become aware of how this injury might affect your life going forward, you can pursue a fair amount of compensation. Learn more by contacting Anderson & Anderson today.

Source: 

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17101-hip-fracture