What It Is

The hip joint is a ball and socket where the top of your femur meets the socket region of your pelvis.

What It Does

This joint helps support the weight of your body and retain your balance and posture.

Common Injuries

Arthritis is the main culprit. Broken or dislocated hips are also the common result of falls, especially by people who have the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis.

Precautions

Exercise, especially strength training, decreases the chances of falling and increases your chances of staying independent. Also, know your family history of osteoporosis and arthritis so you can take preventive measures early.

Treatment

Every patient needs to think about the possibility of osteoporosis long before they are diagnosed with it.

If you have a family history of osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about getting a bone density test. The treatment for people at risk for low bone density is vitamin D, calcium and other prescriptions that decrease bone loss. Every patient needs to think about the possibility of osteoporosis long before they are diagnosed with it. Women are at the most risk, especially after menopause.  Women in their adolescence and early adulthood should try building as much bone as possible with regular exercise and a healthy diet high in calcium and vitamin D.  After age 25 and especially after menopause bone density will continually decrease.  The goal of having strong healthy bones as a young woman will help prevent osteoporosis later in life.

For those who develop arthritis, a hip replacement may be an option to restore activity and remove debilitating pain.