Mega Doctor News
Whether walking, sitting, standing, bending or climbing stairs, the hips provide a critical source of power and force in your daily life. That’s why maintaining hip health is essential for your physical health and overall quality of life.
Unfortunately, hip fracture rates among the U.S. population are considered the highest in the world, with about 340,000 cases reported every year, per the National Institutes of Health, with 90% of them occurring in people aged 65 and older. By 2040, rates are estimated to increase to 500,000.
Since hip fractures can lead to potentially life-threatening complications, immediate medical attention and proper treatment are essential to aiding with healing. Hip fracture treatment often requires surgical repair of the upper part of the thigh bone (femur) that fits into the hip socket. The type of surgery depends on the nature and severity of the fracture, a patients age and other health conditions, with options ranging from internal repair using screws, nails, rods or plates to fix broken bones back into place to total hip replacement.
Every year, about 544,000 hip replacement procedures are performed in the U.S., per the American College of Rheumatology, with that number expected to increase as the population ages.
In the Rio Grande Valley, individuals requiring hip fracture treatment can count on South Texas Health System to provide nationally recognized care.
For the fifth consecutive year, STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg have received a five-star rating for Hip Fracture Treatment from Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. The achievement places STHS’ largest acute care facilities in the upper echelon of hospitals for specialty care nationwide and reflects the healthcare system’s commitment to delivering exceptional care.
“This achievement serves as a testament to South Texas Health System’ dedication to healthcare excellence and the commitment of the staff across our facilities to providing the best outcomes and ensuring a positive patient experience,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer of STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “STHS is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in our patients’ lives as we strive for excellence in every aspect of care.”
South Texas Health System’s five-star rating for Hip Fracture Treatment is based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. As part of its 2025 hospital assessment, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine the top performers in specialty care. By offering easy access to objective performance measures, Healthgrades helps consumers find and select a hospital that excels in providing the care they need.
“Quality in a hospital setting is paramount; it directly impacts patient outcomes and leads to improved patient satisfaction. STHS has long been committed to providing quality, compassionate care to our patients,” says Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “As consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of researching where they receive care before they even step foot in a hospital for a specific procedure or condition, they can rest assured that they’ll receive five-star care at our facilities. “
As variation in performance among hospitals continues to grow, it’s increasingly important for consumers to seek care at top-rated programs. Healthgrades’ 2025 analysis revealed that if all hospitals as a group performed similarly to five-star hospitals during the 2021-2023 study period, on average, 224,958 lives could potentially have been saved and 141,692 complications could potentially have been avoided.*
“Healthgrades commends South Texas Health System for its clear commitment to delivering consistently superior patient outcomes in critical service areas, like hip fractures,” says Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. “STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg’s expertise and unwavering dedication to clinical excellence sets a high mark for specialty care in the Rio Grande Valley and nationwide.”
In 2023, South Texas Health System performed 296 hip replacements, a 62% increase from the previous year.
To learn more about the comprehensive orthopedic services available through South Texas Health System, visit the STHS Edinburg website at www.southtexashealthsystemedinburg.com/ or the STHS McAllen website at www.southtexashealthsystemmcallen.com. For more information or a referral to an Orthopedic Specialist, call the toll free STHS Find a Doctor line at (800) 879-1033.
*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2021 through 2023 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2025 Specialty Awards and Ratings Methodology.
