One of the most serious fractures is a hip fracture, a major cause of disability and loss of independence in our elderly. More than 1.5 million Americans (usually the elderly) suffer hip fractures each year.

In the case of hip fractures, usually part or all of the hip is replaced. The joint replacement procedure (usually one to two hours) and rehabilitation process have come a long way in recent years. Hip replacement patients now usually start physical therapy the day after surgery. More than 90 percent of total hip replacements now last a patient's lifetime.