Each year, around 300,000 Americans break a hip. Most of these are over 65 years old, with women being more at risk, as they fall more frequently on average and are more prone to osteoporosis. A hip fracture is a major injury that often requires surgery to completely heal. Here are some factors that may increase your risk of a hip fracture:
- Being underweight
- Lack of vitamin D or calcium
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Lack of exercise
- Drinking excess alcohol
- Smoking
Did you know that some people who experience a hip fracture can still walk? Some common symptoms will include pain in the hip/groin area, swelling, and discoloration. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to get in to see a doctor. When you schedule your appointment with Dr. Nelson, he’ll recommend some imaging tests to diagnose the pain you’re experiencing. From here, he’ll put together the most effective treatment plan for you depending on your diagnosis.
Non-surgical treatment may be recommended if the individual cannot be safely placed under anesthesia. Some fractures may be considered stable enough to heal on their own, with imaging tests scheduled to ensure things are healing properly throughout recovery.
Surgical treatment is most often recommended with this type of injury. Patients may be encouraged as early as the day following their surgery to get out of bed with the assistance of a physical therapist. By working closely with your physical therapist, you’ll be able to regain your ability to walk and bear weight on both legs.
Dr. Nelson and his team of experienced healthcare providers will work with you post-operatively to ensure that your recovery is on track. Throughout the entire healing process, you can reach out to Dr. Nelson with any questions or concerns you have. You can trust him to provide the highest quality of healthcare to you and ensure you get back to your life through complete recovery.
Learn More About Dr. Nelson
Dr. Nelson is a Cache Valley native who has always enjoyed sports. His love for physical activities/sports was a major influence on his decision to specialize as an orthopedic surgeon. He takes great pride in surgically repairing not only athletes but the physically progressive population and their worn-out joints. His goal is, of course, to get athletes of all ages back to their desired level, whether that is an elite athletic competition, a leisure walk or casual sport. His education included an undergraduate degree from Utah State University, medical school at the University of Utah and Orthopedic Surgery residency at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Following his residency, he completed a surgical sports medicine fellowship.
His surgical practice includes predominately surgery of the knee, shoulder, and hip from tendon and ligamentous repair and reconstruction to joint replacement surgery.
He also takes great responsibility to offer the latest in effective, cost-efficient innovation into surgical procedures. Dr. Nelson is an innovator who works as a consultant developing new surgical instruments to aid surgery. He is the owner of several patents and has licensed his personally developed surgical instruments to a major medical device company for dissemination and use for the orthopedic surgery community worldwide.
Dr. Nelson is thrilled to be working with such a wonderful community in Cache Valley and offer his services.
Recent Comments