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Hip fracture in an elderly person: what to do

A hip fracture after 70 is not a broken bone but a life event: without surgery within the first two days, mortality within a year rises sharply. The signs are typical — pain in the groin, inability to lift the leg, and a foot turned outwards. Anything that moves that leg makes things worse.

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What to do right now

Do not move the leg or try to stand them up
Pain in the groin with the foot rotated outwards means a fracture until an X-ray says otherwise.
Leave them where they are
On the floor is fine — put a pillow under the head and a rolled blanket along the leg to stop it rolling.
Cover them
Elderly people cool down in 15–20 minutes even indoors.
Do not give painkillers before assessment if there was a head injury
Otherwise the usual paracetamol is acceptable; tell the crew what was given.
Gather documents and medication
Especially blood thinners — they determine how soon surgery is possible.

Call an ambulance if

Groin or hip pain after a fall, inability to bear weight
Foot turned outwards, leg appears shorter
The person cannot get up and has been on the floor for more than 20–30 minutes
Head injury or loss of consciousness during the fall
The person takes anticoagulants — assessment is needed even without obvious injury
Back pain with numbness or weakness in the legs after the fall

What not to do

Do not pull them up by the arms or under the armpits
Do not attempt to "straighten" the leg
Do not move them to bed and wait until morning
Do not give food or drink if surgery is likely the same day

What the crew does

Examination, blood pressure, ECG — often the fall was caused by an arrhythmia or a stroke
Pain relief, including strong analgesics, and immobilisation
Lifting with a scoop stretcher, carrying down any staircase
Transport to a trauma hospital: in Moscow hip fractures are operated at City Hospitals 1, 13, 67, 81 and others, usually within 48 hours

This page is for information and does not replace a medical examination. If the condition worsens, call the crew: +7 (985) 887-82-52.

This page in Russian: Russian version.

Questions

Is surgery always necessary?

Almost always. Conservative treatment means months in bed with a high risk of pneumonia, bedsores and clots. Most patients are operated within one to two days, often under spinal anaesthesia.

How much does transport to hospital cost in Moscow?

Call-out 6,000 ₽ and transport 6,000 ₽ per each started 30 minutes inside the MKAD; stretcher carrying 1,000 ₽ per floor. Treatment in a state hospital remains free under insurance.

Can the patient be taken home after surgery?

Yes — we transport patients home from hospital on a stretcher, carry them up to the flat and place them in bed.