The short explanation
No, please do not wait. An older woman who cannot stand after a fall and whose leg looks shorter or turned outwards may have a broken hip. Call 112 for an ambulance or take her to the nearest emergency department now. Hip fractures in older people need prompt assessment, pain control and usually surgery. Delays can lead to more pain, blood clots, pressure sores and other complications. While waiting, keep her warm and still, do not try to make her walk, and do not give food or drink in case surgery is needed soon.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Older women often have thinner bones after menopause, so a simple slip can cause a fracture. Doctors will usually do an X-ray to confirm it.
- Try to note how the fall happened, whether she hit her head, whether she lost consciousness, and what medicines she takes, including blood thinners. Bring her medicine list and any reports to the hospital.
- After treatment, a bone health check is usually recommended to reduce the chance of another fracture.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether she has a fracture. Only an examination and X-ray can do that.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Is the hip broken, and does she need surgery?
- How soon can surgery be done, and what are the risks for her?
- What support will she need for recovery and walking again?
- Should her bones be checked for osteoporosis afterwards?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department now if an older person cannot stand after a fall, has severe hip or groin pain, or a leg looks shortened or turned outwards. Also call 112 if she hit her head and is drowsy or confused.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day for any fall with pain or swelling in a wrist, arm or back, even if she can walk.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Osteoporosis MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Osteoporosis NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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