Hip health is something most of us take for granted. Fully functioning, pain-free hips, however, can be central to enjoying everyday life. Unfortunately, many slip and fall accident victims learn just how critical the role that hips play in our everyday lives. This is because hip injuries are commonly sustained in slip and fall accidents. A hip makes an impact on the floor and the results can be devastating. Hips help us walk, run, turn, sit down, stand up, and so much more. When you injure your hip, your mobility can be greatly impacted and it can also be incredibly painful
Immediate medical attention, as well as consistent follow-up care, can be critical to most effectively recovering from a slip and fall hip injury. It is also important to any personal injury claim you make to seek compensation for the harm you have suffered. Medical records are vital pieces of evidence in such claims.
Possible Treatments for Slip and Fall Hip Injuries
Hip injuries, when left untreated, can result in serious complications. If you have been involved in a slip and fall, go get checked out by a medical professional and comply with the recommended follow-up care. Some of the more common types of slip and fall hip injuries include:
- Dislocation
- Partial or total fracture
- Sprains and tears of the soft tissue surrounding the hip
The treatment you are prescribed for your hip injury will greatly depend on the nature and extent of your hip injury. More minor hip injuries, such as sprains and tears in the soft tissue surrounding the hip can be painful, to be sure, but will not usually require any invasive medical treatments. In most cases, a treating physician will recommend taking anti-inflammatories to help reduce swelling in the area as well as addressing any pain you are likely to be experiencing. Furthermore, you will likely be recommended to rest up and ice the injured area in order to accelerate the healing process.
Dislocation, on the other hand, is considered to be a more serious hip injury. A hip is dislocated when the femur becomes dislodged. Sometimes, a doctor will pop the head of the femur back into place manually. While this will “relocate” the hip, so to speak, the injury victim is still likely to be in a significant amount of pain for weeks to follow. He or she may also experience mobility issues, with limited range of motion. Crutches may be recommended for help getting around as will physical therapy in order to build up the strength in the muscles around the hip to help the healing process and regain a fuller range of motion again.
Hip fractures can be really tough. While they range in severity, much of the course of treatment for the hip fracture will depend on the nature of the fracture itself. When the bones are fractured into multiple pieces and the bones are badly damaged, a doctor may recommend a total hip replacement. If the fracture did not splinter the bone into multiple pieces, a doctor may recommend the insertion of medical screws to hold the bone in place while the fracture heals. In any event, surgery will likely be necessary for a person who sustains a hip fracture. Physical therapy will also likely be necessary to rebuild muscle strength.
New York City Personal Injury Attorney
Have you been injured in a slip and fall accident? Do not delay in reaching out to the office of Attorney Michael J. Redenburg, Esq. P.C. for assistance. Contact our office today.