Hip Fracture Lawyer
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In the most serious pelvic fracture cases, the organs protected by the pelvic bones can be injured when the hip breaks. This can cause embolisms, internal hemorrhaging or ruptured organs, which may lead to death. Even when there are no internal injuries, patients may never recover the mobility they had before the accident. Hip and Pelvis Fracture Lawyer servicing the Galveston, League City, Friendswood, Beaumont, Baytown, Pearland, and Sugarland, and Houston, Texas areas. Our Attorney handles hip fractures & pelvis fracture cases involving serious injuries from slip and fall accidents. Contact our pelvis fracture attorney to get your legal questions answered.
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In every serious injury case, our Texas hip fracture attorneys start preparing the case for trial from day one. While your case may settle before trial, preparing for the courtroom helps us to obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries. Do you need someone to turn to after a hip injury? At the Pascoe Law Firm our clients have at least one lawyer dedicated to managing their case from start to finish and always know who to turn to when they have questions or concerns.
Anatomy of the Hip
The hip is made up of three (3) bones, the ilium, ischium and pubis, which meet at the acetabulum, which forms part of the hip joint. The hip joint is between the femur, the largest bone of both the leg and body, and acetabulum of the pelvis, and its main function is to support a person's body weight when standing still and when walking or jogging. The hip joint is the most important part of the body for maintaining balance.
The hip joint has an articular capsule that attaches to the outside of the acetabular lip. The capsule permits the hip joint to have the second largest range of movement by being strong and loose. The capsule is also fibrous by consisting of longitudinal and circular fibers, the former traveling along the femoral neck carrying blood vessels while the latter forming a collar around the femoral neck.
The hip joint is reinforced by four (4) ligaments. Three (3) of these ligaments are extracapsular ligaments that attach to the bones of the pelvis to strengthen the capsule and prevent excessive joint movement, while one is an intracapsular ligament that is attached to the acetabulum and femoral head, which stretches only when the hip is dislocated and acts to prevent further displacement of the hip. The hip's muscles have three (3) degrees of freedom with three (3) pairs of principle directions passing through the femoral head.
Fracture in the Hip
Most hip fractures occur in the upper portion of the thigh (femur) bone. The extent of the fracture is usually determined by the amount of force involved in the injury. Some hip fractures can heal without extensive treatment, while others require surgery or a hip replacement. The hip consists of a ball and socket joint where the upper leg is allowed to rotate and bend from the pelvis. A hip fracture usually involves only the leg portion of the joint and not the acetabulum, or the socket where the hipbone rests
Common Types of Fractures in the Hip
There are different causes to hip fractures. However, the most common types of fractures happen from falling or by direct impact to the hip. There are specific conditions that can cause a hip fracture including stress injuries, obesity, cancer or osteoporosis. Usually, fractures of the hipbone can be painful where the intense sensation appears in the groin or upper thigh. Commonly, the individual experiences significant discomfort anytime the hip is rotated or flexed.
The three basic kinds of hip fractures include:
Femoral Neck Fracture – A common fracture of the hipbone involves the femoral neck that tends to break it its weakest point usually located two inches or less from the hip joint. Most femoral neck fractures occur as a result of osteoporosis in elderly individuals, especially women. These kinds of fractures typically cause significant complications. This is because the fracture usually restricts blood supply to the femoral head at the point that forms the hip joint.
Intertrochanteric Hip Fracture – A hip fracture at the intertrochanteric portion of the hipbone is usually an easier procedure for a surgeon to repair. The fracture occurs approximately 4 inches away from the hip joint and does not restrict blood flow to the remaining bone.
Intracapsular Fracture – This type of serious fracture is usually a break affecting the ball and socket of the hip. Based on its severity, it can be challenging to repair.
If the hip fracture is not easily repaired, or does not heal properly, usually a hip replacement is the only other healing option available.
Femoral Neck Fracture – A common fracture of the hipbone involves the femoral neck that tends to break it its weakest point usually located two inches or less from the hip joint. Most femoral neck fractures occur as a result of osteoporosis in elderly individuals, especially women. These kinds of fractures typically cause significant complications. This is because the fracture usually restricts blood supply to the femoral head at the point that forms the hip joint.
Intertrochanteric Hip Fracture – A hip fracture at the intertrochanteric portion of the hipbone is usually an easier procedure for a surgeon to repair. The fracture occurs approximately 4 inches away from the hip joint and does not restrict blood flow to the remaining bone.
Intracapsular Fracture – This type of serious fracture is usually a break affecting the ball and socket of the hip. Based on its severity, it can be challenging to repair.
If the hip fracture is not easily repaired, or does not heal properly, usually a hip replacement is the only other healing option available.
Factors of Risk for a Hip Fracture
There are four specific risk factors involved in a broken or fractured hip. These include age (60 years or older), weight, ethnicity (Caucasians and Asians have a higher potential risk of developing osteoporosis) and gender (women have a greater potential of developing osteoporosis than men). Individual suffering a hip fracture that also have additional medical issues usually require a more aggressive treatment plan to heal properly. In many incidences, the doctor will prescribe pain drugs in an effort to reduce discomfort. Surgery is often required to treat broken hips. In other scenarios, replacing the hip with an artificial implant is necessary. In nearly every type of fracture healing, physical therapy is a major component to recovering faster. The patient will need to perform a variety of range of motion exercises to increase movement and flexibility.
Obtaining Legal Assistance For a Hip Fracture from an Texas Accident
Contact our hip fracture lawyer if you have been injured. Fractures of the hip bone (pelvis) happen in many different situations, but are most commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents and slip-and-fall accidents. Younger patients usually suffer hip fractures in automobile accidents, while older patients are typically injured because of a fall. While these generalizations are easy to make, each case is unique. Personal injury victims are often significantly affected by their injuries. Finding their lives changed forever, they need someone on their side to protect their rights. This is the role we take at the Pascoe Law Firm. Representing people throughout Texas who have suffered hip fractures due to the negligent, reckless or careless actions of another, we are dedicated to achieving the best possible results in these complex cases. Pascoe Law Firm provides free consultations regarding legal action after a hip or pelvis fracture. Contact us online or by phone at 713-829-4317 to speak with an experienced Personal Injury Attorney about your situation. Hablamos español.
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Webpage is intended solely for residents of Texas or Persons seeking representation within Texas. An Attorney-Client relationship only occurs when both parties agree that the Attorney will represent the Client and will not be created until that agreement occurs. Website and all of its pages is intended to be used for educational purposes and does not constituted as legal advice. All information on every page of the website does NOT suggest or claim that the attorney has a specialization in any area of legal practice or certification. Attorney not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specializations.
