Hip pain after a fall in Key West

Hip pain and hip injuries after a fall in Key West. When a hip fracture is an emergency and when orthopedic evaluation is appropriate.

Published 2026-05-20

Falls and the hip in Key West

Falls are an unavoidable feature of active travel. Boat decks get wet. Cobblestones catch feet that are not paying attention. Marina gangways move. Bicycle falls happen on pavement that does not forgive. When a person falls and lands on the hip or side, the resulting pain can range from a minor contusion that resolves in a day or two to a hip fracture that requires surgical stabilization. The difficulty is that both ends of that spectrum can present with similar initial pain, and distinguishing between them matters enormously for what comes next.

Hip fractures and who gets them

True hip fractures (breaks in the proximal femur or acetabulum) are significantly more common in older adults, particularly those with reduced bone density. A fall that produces a bruise in a 35-year-old may produce a femoral neck fracture in a 70-year-old from the same mechanism. Younger adults more often sustain hip contusions, hip flexor strains, labral injuries, or pelvic bruising, painful but different in their implications. Both groups can benefit from evaluation when hip pain after a fall is significant, persistent, or accompanied by difficulty bearing weight. The key distinction that determines what happens next is whether the bone is fractured.

Emergency

Emergency signs: these go straight to the emergency room

Go to the emergency room for hip or groin pain after a fall where the person cannot bear any weight on the affected leg, the injured leg appears shorter than the other leg or is turned outward (external rotation), there is visible deformity or severe bruising over the hip, or the person is elderly with a significant mechanism of injury such as a fall from standing height. Hip fractures in older adults are a medical emergency. They frequently require surgical stabilization and are associated with serious complications when not treated promptly. Do not try to walk someone with suspected hip fracture to a car. Call 911.

Non-emergency hip pain after a minor fall

Hip pain after a trip, a low-energy fall, or activity-related strain (where the person can bear some weight and the leg appears normal) may still warrant orthopedic evaluation, particularly if the pain is significant or persists beyond 24 to 48 hours. Key West Concierge Orthopedics provides hip pain evaluation with on-site X-ray to assess for fractures, joint space changes, and soft tissue injury. Certain hip fractures (occult fractures) may not be visible on initial X-ray, and an orthopedic evaluation can assess clinical suspicion and recommend additional imaging when needed.

What the evaluation involves

An orthopedic evaluation for hip pain after a fall includes a physical examination and X-ray when indicated. For presentations where fracture is suspected but not visible on X-ray, MRI referral may be recommended. Key West Concierge Orthopedics also evaluates hip pain from other causes including bursitis, arthritis flares, and labral pathology in younger adults. Same-day evaluation may be available. Call ahead to confirm. For emergencies, call 911 or go directly to the Lower Keys Emergency Room.

Frequently asked questions.

How do I know if my hip is fractured after a fall?

Key signs of a hip fracture include inability to bear any weight, the leg appearing shorter or rotated outward, and severe groin or hip pain. If any of these are present after a fall, go to the emergency room immediately. X-ray confirms the diagnosis. For minor falls with less severe symptoms, orthopedic evaluation is appropriate.

Can an older adult with hip pain after a fall go to an orthopedic clinic instead of the ER?

If an older adult cannot bear weight, the leg appears deformed or rotated, or the fall was significant, go to the emergency room. A possible hip fracture in an older adult is an emergency. For an older adult who can bear some weight and whose leg appears normal, orthopedic evaluation is appropriate. Call ahead.