Hip fractures are fractures of the "neck" of the femur; the long bone that comprises the upper part of the leg. The femoral neck is the area between the shaft of the bone and the head of the femur (the "ball" that fits into the "socket" of the hip).

Hip fractures are a major public health problem. In the U.S., the cost of hip fracture is approximately 7 billion dollars annually, and hip fracture is the second most common cause of admission to nursing homes, accounting for some 60,000 admissions...