A hip fracture refers to a fracture of which anatomical region?

• A. Proximal femur
• B. Femoral shaft
• C. Pubic symphysis
• D. Pelvic girdle

Answer: (A)

Hip fractures refer to breaks in the proximal part of the femur—the portion of the thigh bone closest to the hip joint, including the femoral neck and the intertrochanteric region. This area is directly involved with the hip itself, which is why injuries here are labeled hip fractures. Fractures in the femoral shaft occur lower down the bone and are not considered hip fractures. Fractures of the pubic symphysis lie in the pelvic ring, not at the hip joint. The pelvic girdle encompasses the pelvis bones and is not the proximal femur. So the region most associated with a hip fracture is the proximal femur.