Should A Fracture Visible In The Hip Viewed In An MRI But Not In An X-ray Be Treated With Surgery In An Elderly Woman?

Posted on Sun, 3 Jun 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 3 Jun 2018 Answered on

Thu, 4 Feb 2021 Last reviewed on

Question : My 86 yr old mother fell two weeks ago onto some mulch outside landing on her right hip. She had X Ray's taken at the emergency room and they saw no fracture. They sent her home and told her to use a walker until she could stand on her own. The pain got worse so I took her to get an MRI and they claim it showed a fracture but I couldn't see it. They said it showed the femur ball out of alignment with the socket. Dr XXXXXXX Matford of Seneca SC is to do a replacement of the ball on XXXXXXX 4. Is this nesseccary if it's only a dislocation?

Answered by Dr. ARCHANA (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hemireplacement arthroplasty necessary

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Usually MRI is more visible to find out ball and socket injury or fracture neck of femur which might need to be corrected by hemireplacement arthroplasty or closed reduction and fixation which can be done in operation theater only. But age also limits surgery as risks and benefits have to be weighed. If there is necessity for surgery then only go for it but it needs to be decided by orthopaedician only. My advise is go for surgery only if it's damn necessary. From anaesthetia point of view it's little riskier. Feel free to ask any questions regarding anaesthesia and risks associated and also I can provide you better pain management advice.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj