A broken hip is among the most serious injuries an older person can suffer and one where speed genuinely matters. In younger adults a hip fracture usually follows a high-energy accident; in older people, often just a simple fall. In both, the goal is the same: fix or replace the hip quickly, get the patient standing within a day or two, and head off the complications of lying in bed, chest infection, clots, pressure sores and muscle wasting. Hip trauma surgery in Ahmedabad at PMG Hospital is led by Dr. Hiren Patel who performs both hip fixation and hip replacement for patients across Gujarat, with a simple priority: hip trauma treatment in Ahmedabad that gets people back on their feet fast.
Why Speed Matters - the 24–48 Hour Window
It's worth being honest about why urgency matters so much here. A hip fracture in an older adult is a serious event; around one in five don't survive the year afterwards and the risk climbs with every day of delay before surgery, and with every day spent immobile in bed. That's why the standard of care is to operate as soon as the patient is medically fit, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, and to get them standing the very next day. The single biggest danger after a hip fracture isn't the operation, it's lying still. Prompt surgery and early movement are what turn a life-threatening injury into a recoverable one.
Types of Hip Fracture
Where the break sits changes everything about the treatment.
| Type | Where it is |
|---|---|
| Neck of femur (intracapsular) | Just below the ball the blood supply to the head can be lost |
| Intertrochanteric | Between the bony bumps at the top of the thigh; heals well |
| Subtrochanteric | Just below, through the strong upper thigh bone |
| Acetabular (socket) | The hip socket, usually after high-energy trauma |
| Hip dislocation / fracture-dislocation | The hip out of joint, sometimes with a fracture |
| Periprosthetic | A fracture around an existing hip replacement |
Fix or Replace? How the Decision Is Made
This is the crucial call, and it depends on the fracture type, the patient's age and bone quality, and how active they were before the injury.
| Fracture & patient | Usual treatment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Intertrochanteric | Sliding hip screw (DHS) or a nail (PFN) | Good blood supply, heals well; allows early weight-bearing |
| Displaced neck of femur, older patient | Partial or total hip replacement | The head's blood supply is often lost, so fixation frequently fails |
| Undisplaced neck of femur, younger patient | Cannulated screws (save the natural head) | Preserving the young patient's own hip is the priority |
| Acetabular (socket) fracture | Plate & screw fixation | Restore the joint surface accurately |
The reason the displaced-neck decision matters so much: fixing one in an elderly patient often ends in a failed implant and a second operation the patient can ill afford which is exactly why a replacement is usually the safer, more reliable choice. Because Dr. Patel performs both the fixation and the hip replacement, that decision is made and carried out in one place.
Hip Trauma Surgery Cost in Ahmedabad
Cost depends entirely on which procedure the fracture needs. As a current guide in Ahmedabad:
| Procedure | General cost in Ahmedabad |
|---|---|
| Cannulated screws (young, undisplaced neck) | ₹1 – 2.5 lakh |
| Dynamic hip screw (DHS, stable intertrochanteric) | ₹1.5 – 3 lakh |
| Intramedullary nail (PFN, unstable) | ₹1.8 – 3.5 lakh |
| Hemiarthroplasty (displaced neck, elderly) | ₹1.8 – 3.5 lakh |
| Total hip replacement (selected cases) | ₹2.5 – 5 lakh |
These generally cover the surgeon, anaesthesia, OT, implant and a typical hospital stay; ICU days, premium implants or significant other illnesses push it higher. Trauma care is usually covered by mediclaim and government schemes such as PMJAY. For an exact estimate, please consult our team.
Recovery After Hip Fracture Surgery
Surgery is performed as soon as the patient is medically fit ideally within 24 to 48 hours of admission. Standing and walking with support begin the day after surgery, which is deliberate: early movement is what prevents the dangerous complications of bed rest. Most patients go home within a few days, continue physiotherapy for several weeks, and are walking independently within about six to twelve weeks. Recovery is paced to the person's age and general health, and the in-house physiotherapy team guides it throughout. Families travelling from across Gujarat have this coordinated into their plan.
Preventing the Next Fracture - Bone Health
A hip fracture in an older person is rarely just bad luck; it's usually a sign of weak, osteoporotic bone, and it flags a genuinely high risk of a second fracture down the line. So for older patients, treating the hip is only half the job: a bone-health assessment and treatment for osteoporosis are built into the plan, to strengthen the bone and reduce the chance of the next fall becoming the next fracture. It's a step many treatments skip, and it's one of the most effective things that can be done to protect an older patient's future.
Meet Dr. Hiren Patel - Hip Trauma Specialist in Ahmedabad
A broken hip in an older person is one of those moments where the right decision, made fast, changes everything. The crucial call is fix or replace and getting it wrong (fixing a displaced neck fracture that then fails) means a second operation an elderly patient can ill afford. Dr. Hiren Patel is set up to get it right, because he performs both hip trauma fixation and hip replacement. As a hip trauma specialist in Ahmedabad 14+ years, 14,000+ orthopedic surgeries, an MS (Orthopaedics) from B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, and fellowship training in hip surgery he operates quickly, chooses fixation or replacement to suit the fracture and the patient, and builds bone-health treatment into the plan. As a hip trauma surgeon Ahmedabad families trust, his priority is getting the patient standing the next day.
Why Patients Across Gujarat Choose PMG Hospital
With a broken hip, two things protect life and mobility: operating quickly, and choosing the right procedure. As a hip trauma hospital Ahmedabad and the surrounding districts rely on, PMG offers 24×7 trauma availability and surgery ideally within 24–48 hours, with a surgeon who can fix or replace under one roof so an elderly patient with a displaced neck fracture gets the replacement that actually works, not a fixation that fails. Standing begins the day after surgery, bone health is assessed to prevent a second fracture, and an in-house physiotherapy team guides the recovery. Families come from across Gujarat, and a second opinion is always available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How urgent is hip fracture surgery?
Very. A hip fracture in an older adult is a surgical emergency - the risk of serious complications and death rises with each day of delay before surgery, and with each day spent immobile. The standard of care is to operate as soon as the patient is medically fit, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, and to get them standing the next day. Prompt surgery genuinely saves lives.
Will my elderly parent walk again after a hip fracture?
Most patients do, and getting there depends on two things: prompt surgery and early movement. With surgery within 24–48 hours and standing the day after, most older patients go home within a few days and are walking independently within about six to twelve weeks, guided by physiotherapy. Recovery is individual and depends on health before the injury, but walking again is the goal and the usual outcome.
Is a hip fracture fixed or replaced?
It depends on where the break is and the patient. Intertrochanteric fractures (below the neck) are usually fixed with a hip screw or nail. A displaced neck-of-femur fracture in an older patient is usually treated with a partial or total hip replacement, because the blood supply to the ball is often lost and fixation frequently fails. Younger patients with undisplaced neck fractures have the natural head preserved with screws.
Why is a displaced neck-of-femur fracture often replaced, not fixed?
Because of the blood supply. The neck of the femur is inside the joint, and a displaced fracture there often cuts off the blood supply to the ball (femoral head). If it's fixed, the head can die and the implant cut out, leading to failure and a second operation - hard on an elderly patient. Replacing the ball avoids that risk and gets the patient reliably back on their feet.
How much does hip fracture surgery cost in Ahmedabad?
It depends on the procedure. Roughly: cannulated screws ₹1–2.5 lakh; a dynamic hip screw ₹1.5–3 lakh; an intramedullary nail ₹1.8–3.5 lakh; a hemiarthroplasty ₹1.8–3.5 lakh; and a total hip replacement ₹2.5–5 lakh. These cover surgeon, anaesthesia, implant and a typical stay; ICU or premium implants cost more. Trauma care is usually covered by insurance and government schemes. Consult us for an exact estimate.
How long is recovery after hip fracture surgery?
Standing and walking with support begin the day after surgery. Most patients go home within a few days and continue physiotherapy for several weeks, walking independently within about six to twelve weeks. Full recovery of strength and confidence takes longer and depends on age and general health. Early mobilisation is the key to a good recovery and to avoiding the complications of bed rest.
Can a hip fracture be treated without surgery?
Almost always, surgery is the right treatment - because the alternative, prolonged bed rest, carries a very high risk of life-threatening complications like chest infections and clots. Non-surgical treatment is reserved for the rare patient who is too unwell to undergo an operation at all. For nearly everyone, prompt surgery is both safer and the fastest route back to walking.
When should I see a hip trauma surgeon in Ahmedabad?
For a suspected hip fracture - hip pain and inability to stand or walk after a fall, often with the leg looking shortened or turned out - reach a hospital urgently, because time matters. A hip trauma surgeon in Ahmedabad should assess it promptly, since the aim is surgery within 24–48 hours. Don't wait to "see if it settles" - a broken hip needs prompt care.
Talk to Our Orthopedic Team
If an older family member has fallen and can't stand or bear weight, treat it as urgent, reach us or the nearest hospital quickly, because a broken hip is a race against time. Bring the X-rays and we'll plan prompt surgery. Call or WhatsApp +91 96627 70141, email pmghospital.ahm@gmail.com, or visit PMG Hospital at 3rd Floor, Athena Avenue, B/H Jaguar Showroom, near Eulogia Inn Hotel, Gota, S G Highway, Ahmedabad.