Suspected broken hip

[Misty P]

hey all. what would happen if someone had an accident & it was suspected that their hip was broken, yet people offered to help & moved this person- including helping them to stand up.
what potential extra damage could be caused?
thanks muchly.

[sqad617]

I cannot see that there would be any EXTRA potential damage following what you have described. The hip joint is a large joint surrounded by a wealth of large muscles which would protect it form vascular (blood vessels) and nerve damage. Fractured hips rarely penetrate the skin making the fracture compound or complicated due mainly to the conditions described above.

[bednobs]

i agree. my neighbour fell off his bike and broke his hip and walked around on it for 3 weeks wondering why it hurt! - the outcome was the same

[Misty P]

Thanks very much sqad617 & bednobs for your answers. You have put my mind at rest!!

[FUZZYBEE]

A broken hip is not a problem, however the key word here is "suspected" if in doubt don't move. Especially as there could have been a fracture in the neck of the femur...........then you're really in trouble because that is very very close to the hip and has a huge blood supply. Usually if that is fractured it's straight to theatre with as little movement as possible, having said that if the patient was happy to be moved then it's likely nothing was broken.