Hip Pain After a Fall: Common Injuries and When To Seek Treatment

A fall can happen in seconds, but the hip pain that follows can linger for weeks or longer depending on what was injured and how severely. Whether you landed on your side or twisted awkwardly, any hip pain after a fall deserves a closer look.

In this guide, Metro Healthcare Partners will explain the most common hip injuries from falls and when to see a doctor. For comprehensive care, Metro Healthcare Partners is a multi-specialty healthcare center in Brooklyn, NY, accepting new patients.

Common Hip Injuries From Falls

Hip pain after a fall can stem from several different types of injuries, and the severity varies widely depending on how you fell, what surface you hit, and your age and bone density. Some injuries are immediately obvious, while others produce symptoms that build over hours or days.

Common hip injuries from falls include:

• Fractures: Hip fractures often cause severe groin or upper-thigh pain, difficulty bearing weight, and sometimes a shortened or rotated leg. However, some nondisplaced fractures cause milder symptoms and may still permit limited weight-bearing.
• Hip flexor strains: The muscles at the front of the hip can be overstretched or torn during a fall, causing pain when lifting the leg or bending at the waist.
• Joint injuries: The cartilage, labrum, or ligaments within the joint can be damaged by the impact of a fall. This may produce deep aching pain and reduced range of motion.
• Soft tissue injuries: Bruising, contusions, and bursitis affecting the tissue around the hip can cause significant pain and swelling even without a fracture.

How Common Is Hip Pain?

Hip pain is far more common than most people realize, affecting roughly 10% of the general population, and that number climbs significantly with age. 

Falls are a leading driver of serious hip injuries and ongoing chronic pain. According to data from the CDC, approximately 300,000 hospitalizations for hip fractures occur in the United States each year among older adults who have fallen. The same data indicates that in 2019, 83% of the fatalities and 88% of the emergency department visits and hospitalizations from hip fractures were linked to falls. 

When To See a Doctor for Hip Pain After a Fall

Not every fall requires an emergency room visit, but certain symptoms following an injury should never be ignored. A prompt evaluation is important when:

• You are unable to bear weight on the affected leg.
• The hip or leg appears visibly deformed or is rotated at an unusual angle.
• Pain is severe and does not improve with rest.
• The affected leg feels numb, cold, or has reduced sensation.
• Significant swelling or bruising develops rapidly after the fall.
• You are an older adult with a history of osteoporosis or previous fractures.

When symptoms are less severe, scheduling an appointment within a day or two is still advisable. Hip pain from soft tissue injuries may not feel urgent immediately but can worsen without appropriate care. Don’t hesitate to seek urgent care if you feel that something more serious may be going on.

Going to the Emergency Room vs. an Orthopedic Specialist or Primary Care Provider

If you cannot stand, the leg appears deformed, or the pain is severe and sudden, an emergency room is the right first stop, as these signs may indicate a hip fracture that requires imaging and potentially surgical intervention. For moderate pain without emergency symptoms, an orthopedic evaluation with a specialist or a same-day appointment at a primary care practice may be more appropriate. For less severe strains and sprains, a primary care or orthopedic clinician can evaluate non-emergency symptoms and arrange follow-up care.

What To Expect From an Orthopedic Evaluation

An orthopedic evaluation for hip pain after a fall typically begins with a thorough review of how the injury occurred, your current symptoms, and your medical history. The provider will then conduct a physical examination that assesses your range of motion, the location and quality of the pain, and whether the injury is affecting your gait or ability to bear weight.

X-rays are usually the first imaging test. If they are negative or unclear but a fracture or soft-tissue injury remains suspected, the provider may order an MRI or CT. Based on those findings, your treatment plan may include rest and physical therapy, medication for pain and inflammation, or a referral for a surgical consultation if the injury requires it. 

Metro Healthcare Partners Helps Brooklyn Patients Recover From Hip Injuries

Hip pain after a fall can signal anything from minor soft tissue injuries to serious hip fractures, and getting an accurate diagnosis early can make a difference in your recovery. At Metro Healthcare Partners, we evaluate and treat hip injuries from falls with the kind of coordinated, multi-specialty care that Brooklyn patients depend on.

Falls can also affect more than just the hip, so if you’re also experiencing knee problems, read more about common knee injuries from falls. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.

Call Metro Healthcare Partners at (718) 874-1204 for a hip pain evaluation in Brooklyn today.

FAQs

Find answers to a few common questions below about hip pain after a fall.

How Do I Know if My Hip Is Fractured After a Fall?

Signs of a hip fracture include severe pain in the groin or outer hip, inability to bear weight, and a leg that appears shortened or turned outward, though imaging is required for a definitive diagnosis.

Can Hip Pain After a Fall Go Away on Its Own?

Minor soft tissue injuries and bruising may resolve on their own with rest and ice. Hip pain that persists beyond a few days or limits mobility warrants a professional evaluation to rule out more serious damage.

How Long Will Hip Pain From a Fall Typically Last?

Recovery time depends on the injury. Soft tissue injuries may heal in a few weeks, while hip fractures or joint injuries often require months of treatment and rehabilitation.