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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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People often decide to seek care after an injury based upon their ability to stand, bear weight, and walk. If there is a concern that a bone is broken, medical care should be sought in an urgent manner. Since patients with a broken hip tend to have significant pain even with minimal movement, it may be wise to call emergency medical services (usually by calling 911) for help in lifting and transporting the fall victim.

If the pain is more gradual in onset and does not respond to rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications, it is reasonable to seek help. This is especially true if the hip pain begins to limit the range of motion of the hip or causes limping.

If there is loss of bowel or bladder function, this may signal that the pain is coming from the back and a true emergency called cauda equina syndrome may exist. Medical care should be accessed immediately.

Limping is not normal in infant and children. If the pain and limp are associated with a fever, emergency care should be accessed because of the risk for having a joint space infection. Even if no obvious injury has occurred, it is wise to be evaluated within a day or two if the pain and limp have not resolved.

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