Reports indicate that former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 84, sustained an injury during a fall in Luxembourg while there for an official engagement. Pelosi spokesperson Ian Krager announced that the congresswoman suffered a hip fracture while tripping on marble stairs and underwent a hip replacement. 

To learn more about her injury and prognosis, we spoke with hip surgery expert, Dr. Joel Williams.

How common is this injury?

According to the CDC and other medical sources, approximately 300,000 Americans over the age of 65 fall and break their hip each year; nearly all of these hip fractures are caused by falls. An estimated 80% of all hip fractures are caused by falls, most often by adults 65+.

Will a fractured hip fully heal?

Complete healing of a fractured hip can take many months, depending on the severity of the break. Most fractures take at least three months to heal, but muscle strength and a return to mobility can take much longer. Typically, patients achieve close to a full recovery within 6 months of the injury, but it can take up to a full year to reach maximum recovery. Occasionally, other surgeries are recommended if the fracture doesn’t heal properly.

Is surgery recommended?

For most elderly patients who want to continue walking, surgery is typically recommended. The specific type of surgical recommendation depends on the fracture characteristics. Regardless, we emphasize that it is critical to be upright and walking as soon as possible after surgery to prevent complications.

What are the implications of an elderly hip fracture?

Often, elderly patients who sustain a hip fracture lose independence. After recovery, patients are frequently dependent on a cane or walker to move around safely. Unfortunately, even with modern healthcare advances, roughly one-third of patients die within a year of a hip fracture.