Hip Fractures Explained — Symptoms, Recovery and How Osteopathy Can Help

A hip fracture can turn life upside down in an instant. One moment you’re steady on your feet — the next you’re facing surgery, weeks of rehabilitation and a lot of unfamiliar territory.

If you or someone you love is navigating this, you’re not alone. Hip fractures are one of the most common serious injuries among older adults, and the encouraging news is that with the right care, most people go on to recover well and rebuild their strength and confidence.

In this article I want to walk through what causes hip fractures, the symptoms to watch for, how they’re typically treated and — importantly — how osteopathy can support recovery and help lower the risk of it happening again.

Just How Common Are Hip Fractures?

More common than most people realise.

Hip fractures affect millions of people worldwide every year, and the risk rises steadily with age. By age 50, roughly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men will experience a hip fracture at some point in their life.

This isn’t about alarm — it’s about understanding why prevention and early support matter so much. A hip fracture affects far more than mobility. It can significantly impact independence, confidence and overall quality of life. That’s exactly why proactive care — including the kind of movement, balance and strength work that osteopathy supports — can make a meaningful difference long before a fracture occurs.

What Causes a Hip Fracture?

At its core, a hip fracture happens when the force from an impact — usually a fall — is greater than the bone can withstand. Two things drive that risk:

Bone strength: As we age, bones naturally lose density and become more porous — a process closely linked to osteoporosis. Reduced bone density means that a fall which might cause a bruise in a younger person can result in a fracture in an older one.

Fall risk, balance, muscle strength, vision and reaction time all play a role in whether a stumble becomes a fall — and whether that fall becomes a fracture.

Other contributing factors include:

Smoking and heavy alcohol use
Low physical activity and muscle weakness — a condition known as sarcopenia
Being significantly underweight
A family history of hip fracture
Certain health conditions including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and chronic kidney disease
Some medications — including sedatives, certain antidepressants and long-term steroid use

The encouraging part: many of these are modifiable. Through movement, nutrition and targeted support — including osteopathic care focused on improving balance, strength and mobility — it is genuinely possible to reduce risk.

Common Sites of a Hip Fracture

Not all hip fractures are the same. The location of the break has a significant influence on how the fracture is treated, how quickly surgery is performed and what recovery looks like.

Femoral Neck Fractures

The femoral neck is the narrow section of bone just below the ball of the hip joint. This is the most common location for a hip fracture, particularly in older adults with osteoporosis.

Femoral neck fractures are concerning because the blood supply to the ball of the hip joint (the femoral head) runs through this area. When the neck fractures, that blood supply can be disrupted — which is why these fractures often require a partial or total hip replacement rather than internal fixation with plates and screws.

Intertrochanteric Fractures

Intertrochanteric fractures occur slightly lower down — between the femoral neck and the shaft of the femur, in the region of two bony prominences called the greater and lesser trochanters.

These fractures are generally considered more amenable to repair than femoral neck fractures, as the blood supply to the bone in this region is better preserved. They are typically treated with a metal rod or plate and screws to hold the bone in position while it heals.

Subtrochanteric Fractures

Subtrochanteric fractures occur just below the lesser trochanter, in the upper section of the femoral shaft. These are less common than the other two types but can be more complex to treat surgically due to the significant muscular forces acting on this region of bone.

They are typically treated with an intramedullary nail — a metal rod inserted into the hollow centre of the femur to stabilise the fracture.

A Note on Stress Fractures –

In younger, more active individuals — particularly runners and military recruits — a stress fracture of the femoral neck can occasionally occur without a significant fall or trauma. These develop gradually from repetitive loading and may initially present as groin or hip pain during activity rather than sudden severe pain. They require prompt medical assessment as they carry a risk of progressing to a complete fracture if not identified and managed appropriately.

Common Symptoms of a Hip Fracture

If you or someone you know has had a fall, here’s what to look out for:

Sudden, sharp pain in the hip, groin or outer thigh
Inability to put weight on the affected leg
The leg appearing shorter or rotated outward
Swelling, bruising or stiffness around the hip
Difficulty standing, walking or moving the leg at all

Important: if you suspect a hip fracture after a fall, this is a medical emergency. Please seek immediate care at an emergency department. Osteopathy has a valuable role in recovery and prevention — but a suspected fracture always needs urgent medical and often surgical assessment first.

How Are Hip Fractures Treated?

Most hip fractures require surgery, and outcomes tend to be better when surgery happens promptly — usually within 48 hours. Depending on where the break occurs, this may involve repairing the bone with plates and screws, or replacing part of the hip joint with a partial or total hip replacement.

After surgery, recovery typically involves:

Early, gentle movement to prevent stiffness and maintain circulation
Structured physical therapy and rehabilitation
Pain management
Medication to protect bone strength and reduce the risk of future fracture
Fall prevention strategies — this is where balance and strength work become particularly important

The quality of rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery has a significant influence on long-term outcomes. People who engage actively with rehabilitation — including appropriate exercise and movement — generally achieve better function and independence than those who remain largely inactive during recovery.

Myths & Misconceptions

“Hip fractures only happen to very elderly people” — while risk increases significantly with age, hip fractures can occur in anyone with reduced bone density or high fall risk, including people in their 50s and 60s
“If I can move my leg, it can’t be a fracture” — some hip fractures still allow limited movement. Any significant hip pain following a fall should be assessed medically without delay
“Complete rest is best after a hip fracture” — prolonged immobility after hip fracture is associated with worse outcomes including muscle loss, blood clots and reduced function. Early, appropriate movement under guidance is encouraged
“Hip fractures are inevitable as you get older” — many risk factors are modifiable. Bone density, balance, muscle strength and fall risk can all be positively influenced through appropriate exercise, nutrition and lifestyle
“There’s nothing an osteopath can do for a hip fracture” — while osteopathy doesn’t treat the fracture itself, it plays a genuinely valuable role in both prevention and post-surgical recovery
“Once you’ve had a hip fracture, you’ll never be the same” — with appropriate rehabilitation and support, many people return to good functional independence and quality of life following hip fracture

How May Osteopathy Help?

Osteopathy won’t replace the surgical or medical care a hip fracture requires — but it plays a genuinely valuable supporting role, both before and after.

Before a Fracture — Prevention

As a ThreeBestRated osteopath in Chelmsford, I regularly work with older adults on exactly the kind of proactive care that reduces fall and fracture risk.

A preventive osteopathic assessment may include:

Assessment of posture, gait, joint mobility and muscle balance
Identification of factors that may increase fall risk
Gentle hands-on treatment to improve joint mobility and reduce compensatory tension
Tailored exercise advice focused on balance, coordination and lower limb strength
Guidance on lifestyle factors that support bone health

The goal is to identify and address vulnerabilities before they lead to injury — which is almost always more effective than waiting until something goes wrong.

After a Fracture — Recovery Support

Once you’ve been cleared by your surgical team, osteopathic care can support recovery by:

Easing compensatory tension in the lower back, opposite hip and legs that commonly builds during recovery as the body adapts to altered movement patterns
Supporting gentle restoration of movement and gait
Addressing hip pain and stiffness in surrounding structures
Using soft tissue techniques to reduce muscle tension and improve comfort
Joint mobilisation to support restoration of normal movement
Providing tailored rehabilitation exercises to rebuild strength and confidence
Working alongside your physiotherapy team to complement rather than replace their input

Recovery from a hip fracture takes time — and the path is rarely perfectly linear. Having support that addresses the whole body, not just the surgical site, can make a meaningful difference to both physical recovery and confidence.

Evidence at a Glance

Current evidence suggests that:

Early mobilisation following hip fracture surgery is associated with better functional outcomes than prolonged bed rest
Exercise-based interventions — including balance training and progressive strength work — reduce fall risk and support recovery following hip fracture
Addressing modifiable risk factors including muscle weakness, balance impairment and bone density is an evidence-based approach to hip fracture prevention
A whole-body approach to rehabilitation — addressing compensatory patterns and movement quality alongside the fracture site — supports better long-term function
Psychological factors including fear of falling and reduced confidence are significant barriers to recovery and should be addressed as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Can osteopathy help prevent a hip fracture? While no treatment can eliminate risk entirely, osteopathy can support two of the most important modifiable risk factors — balance and mobility. By improving joint function, muscle coordination and gait, the aim is to reduce the chance of a fall occurring in the first place. Read more about osteopathy for older adults →

Is it safe to see an osteopath after hip surgery? Yes, in most cases — but timing matters. I always recommend waiting for clearance from your surgeon or medical team before starting osteopathic treatment, and I’ll work closely with your existing rehabilitation plan rather than replacing it.

How soon after a hip fracture can I start osteopathic treatment? This varies depending on the type of fracture, surgery and your overall recovery. Many patients begin gentle supportive osteopathic care several weeks into rehabilitation, once cleared by their care team. Please get in touch to discuss your specific situation.

What’s the difference between osteopathy and physiotherapy for hip fracture recovery? The two approaches complement each other well. Physiotherapy tends to focus on structured strength and mobility rehabilitation. Osteopathy takes a broader whole-body approach — addressing compensatory patterns, tension and movement quality that develop as the body adapts to recovery. Read more about osteopathy vs physiotherapy →

I haven’t had a fracture but I’m worried about my balance and fall risk — can you help? Absolutely — and this is one of the most valuable times to seek assessment. Identifying areas of weakness or imbalance early, before they lead to injury, is far more effective than waiting for a problem to occur.

Are there exercises I can do at home to reduce my risk? Yes — balance and strength exercises can make a real difference, but they should be tailored to you. What works well for one person isn’t always appropriate for another, particularly when other health conditions are involved. A personalised programme can be developed during your appointment.

Can I be referred by my GP? You don’t need a GP referral to see me — you can book directly. However, if your GP has concerns about bone density it’s worth asking about a DEXA scan to assess your bone health, which can help guide the most appropriate preventive approach.

A Note on Taking Action Early

If you’ve experienced a fall or are concerned about your balance, bone health or mobility — please don’t wait until something happens to seek support. A conversation with your GP about bone density screening, combined with proactive movement support, can go a long way.

And if you’re already on the recovery journey after a hip fracture, know that healing takes time — and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you are recovering from a hip fracture or would like to discuss fall prevention and mobility assessment, please do not hesitate to contact me at info@chelmsfordosteopathyclinic.co.uk or call 07440 498109.

Book an Appointment → Read more about Osteopathy for Older Adults → Read more about Hip Pain →

Written by John Dods John Dods holds a Masters of Osteopathy (M.Ost) from the University College of Osteopathy and is registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) 11168

Last reviewed: August 2026

This information is intended for general educational purposes and should not replace individual medical assessment. If you suspect a hip fracture following a fall, seek emergency medical assessment immediately. If you are concerned about your bone health or fall risk, please speak to your GP.