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When you arrive at work, the last thing you’re thinking about is the safety of your hips. However, depending on your profession, you may be at risk of suffering a hip fracture among a variety of other injuries.

If you injure your hip on the job, such as the result of a slip-and-fall or fall from height, you may have concerns about a potential fracture. This is even more so the case in the event of extreme pain, discomfort in the area, the inability to walk and swelling.

Since a hip fracture typically requires surgery, it’s critical to report the injury to your employer, call for medical help and follow the advice of your doctor upon visiting the emergency room.

If a hip fracture is the diagnosis, your doctor will discuss your treatment options, which typically includes one of three surgical procedures:

• Internal repair: The insertion of metal screws and plates into the bone will hold it together while it heals.
• Partial hip replacement: If the ends of the bone are damaged or displaced, your doctor may suggest a partial hip replacement during which a surgeon removes the neck and head of the femur. This is typically recommended in the case of an older adult or someone with a preexisting hip condition.
• Total hip replacement: Unlike a partial hip replacement, this calls for the total replacement of the upper femur and socket with prostheses. Many studies show that a total hip replacement is the best option both from a cost perspective and in regard to your long-term outcome.

Regardless of which type of surgery you go through, proper rehabilitation is a must. For example, your medical team will have you out of your hospital bed and moving around one day after surgery. You’ll then move onto physical therapy designed to help improve the strength of your hip and range of motion.

A hip fracture won’t allow you to immediately return to work, so don’t wait too long to file a workers’ compensation claim. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can hopefully receive an approval. If your initial claim is denied, learn more about your legal rights in Pennsylvania for filing an appeal.