Common hip concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Hip Fracture
A broken hip
A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the femur, most often in older adults after a fall. It is a true orthopedic emergency requiring prompt evaluation. If you cannot stand or put weight on your leg after a fall, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- A hip fracture is one of many hip conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Most hip fractures need surgery, done promptly so you can get up and moving again safely.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is a hip fracture?
A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the femur, most often in older adults after a fall. It is a true orthopedic emergency requiring prompt evaluation. Most happen suddenly in a fall, although a stress fracture can cause groin pain that builds over weeks.
Most hip fractures need surgery: either fixation with screws, a rod, or a plate, or a partial or total hip replacement, depending on where the bone broke. Surgery is done promptly because getting up and walking early lowers the risk of complications. Non-surgical care is reserved for the few fractures that are stable, or for patients who cannot safely have an operation.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose a hip fracture, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Hip Fracture
This is a break of the upper part of your femur. The femur is the long bone in your upper leg. At the top of the femur is the "head." This is the ball that fits into your hip socket. A hip fracture may happen at the "neck" of the femur (the thin portion of bone under the head). Fractures may also happen below the neck.
Inside the hip.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint built for both stability and a wide range of motion. The ball (femoral head) sits inside the socket (acetabulum) and is cushioned by smooth cartilage. The labrum, a rim of cartilage around the socket, adds depth and a seal. Most hip pain comes from wear of that cartilage, labral injury, or bony impingement between the ball and socket.
Symptoms and causes of a hip fracture
Common symptoms
- Severe hip or groin pain after a fall
- Inability to bear weight on the leg
- Shortening or outward rotation of the affected leg
- Bruising and swelling around the hip
Common causes
- Fall in an older adult with osteoporosis
- High-energy trauma (motor vehicle accident, sports)
- Stress fracture from repetitive loading
- Bone weakened by tumor or infection
How we diagnose a hip fracture
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for a hip fracture typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the hip: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray first; an MRI or CT scan is ordered if the X-ray looks normal but a fracture is still suspected
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat a hip fracture at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the repair to the fracture. For most hip fractures that means surgery, followed by early, guided rehabilitation.
Non-surgical care
Select casesWhen surgery is not the plan
A small number of hip fractures are treated without an operation. This is the exception, and it needs close follow-up.
- Stable, non-displaced fractures in select patients, with repeat X-rays
- Protected weight-bearing with a walker or crutches
- Pain control and blood clot prevention
- Physical therapy to rebuild strength and balance
- Bone-health evaluation to help prevent another fracture
Surgical care
Most patientsSurgical repair (most hip fractures)
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Screw fixation for fractures of the femoral neck
- Rod or plate-and-screw fixation for fractures below the neck
- Partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty)
- Total hip replacement in select patients
- Early walking with physical therapy after surgery
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Hip care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Prompt surgical repair when the fracture needs it
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our hip specialists match the repair to the fracture and to your overall health, and plan surgery promptly when it is needed.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a hip specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a hip specialist.
- Hip or groin pain after a fall, even if you can still walk
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantCall 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you cannot stand or put weight on your leg after a fall, or if the leg looks shorter or turned outward. Do not wait for an office appointment.
Your hip recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the hip, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Pain control and blood clot prevention
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the hip.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Hip considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the hip. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our hip doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our hip specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your hip specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Erik Dworsky, MD
Hip & Knee Surgeon
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Santa Fe Springs
Accepting new patients
David Barba, MD
Hip & Knee Surgeon
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Wilshire
- East Los Angeles
Hip fracture care, from repair through recovery
A hip fracture is not an injury to wait on or walk off. If you cannot stand or put weight on your leg after a fall, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room instead of booking a visit. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need surgical repair or careful non-surgical care, we plan it with you and coordinate each step, including rehabilitation.
Call or schedule online today to see a hip specialist in Los Angeles.
Common hip fracture questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays of the hip and pelvis show most hip fractures; an MRI or CT scan is ordered when the X-rays look normal but a fracture is still suspected. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a hip specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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