*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature M: MRSA.

Broken Hip

A broken hip (hip fracture) is serious and needs treatment in hospital straight away. It can take several weeks or months to recover and you may not get back the same strength and movement you had before.

Check if you have a broken hip

A broken hip usually happens because of a fall or injury. It's more common in older people and people who have osteoporosis.

Symptoms of a broken hip include:

pain in the hip or upper leg
swelling and bruising around your hip and upper leg
not being able to stand or put weight on the affected hip and leg
difficulty moving your hip and leg
the affected leg is at an odd angle or is shorter than the unaffected leg

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you have severe hip pain after a fall or injury
you're unable to walk or put weight on your leg
you have any tingling or loss of feeling in your hip or leg after an injury

Find your nearest A&E

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you have severe hip pain that started suddenly but you've not had a fall or injured your hip
your hip is swollen and feels hot
the skin around your hip has changed colour
you have hip pain and feel generally unwell and have a high temperature or feel hot and shivery

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

What we mean by severe pain

Severe pain:: always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
you cannot sleep
it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
Moderate pain:: always there
makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:: comes and goes
is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities

Treatment for a broken hip

A broken hip needs to be treated in hospital straight away.

You'll usually be given painkillers and have an X-ray to check if your hip is broken and to decide what treatment is best for you.

Most people will need surgery to treat a broken hip.

Depending on things like your age and the type of break, you may have surgery to:

fix the broken bones back into place using screws, nails, rods or plates
replace some of the damaged hip joint with an artificial part (hemiarthroplasty)
replace all of the damaged hip joint with an artificial joint (hip replacement)

You'll usually have surgery on the same day or day after you arrive at hospital.

If you're over 50 and have broken your hip, a fracture liaison service can help you prevent further broken bones and keep your bones healthy.

Ask your GP surgery if there's a fracture liaison service in your area.

Recovering from a broken hip

A broken hip usually takes several weeks or months to heal, but it can take longer.

You'll usually spend around 1 to 4 weeks in hospital.

Soon after surgery you will start having regular physiotherapy to help you start standing and moving again.

When you leave hospital, you'll be given exercises to continue doing at home.

You may never get back the same strength and movement as you had before your break, and you may need to use a walking stick or frame.

Some people need help from carers or other health professionals when they move back home.

It's important to do the exercises recommended by your physiotherapist regularly. This will help you recover and improve your strength and movement.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature M: MRSA. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.