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Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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The body is a machine that needs to be well looked after over a lifetime. By maintaining a normal body mass index and avoiding obesity, providing a good diet to build strong bones, and by exercising routinely to preserve normal range of motion of the hip, osteoarthritis of the hips and back pain may be avoided.

Medications that prevent osteoporosis in women should be considered to minimize the risk of hip and back fractures in at-risk women. These include calcium, vitamin D, and bisphosphonates (Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax). Bone mineral density screening may be a reasonable screening tool.

For older individuals, it is important to minimize the risk of falling and breaking a hip or sustaining other injuries related to a fall. Preventive measures include wearing good shoes with a good tread, using a cane or walker for stability if needed, and making certain that walking areas in the home are free of clutter, including slippery area rugs.

For individuals of all ages, it is important to maintain good strength, flexibility, and posture throughout life to allow the hip to move and function normally.

The most common causes of hip pain involve the aging process of the joint, causing arthritis and the loss of calcium content in the bone and predisposing one to fracture. As people improve their diet and increase their exercise programs to maintain healthy bodies (including healthy bones and joints), the goal is to allow people to be as active as possible as late in life as possible.

Picture of the Anatomy of the Hip

Picture of the Location of Most Hip Fractures

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