The femur, or thigh bone, connects to the pelvis at the hip joint. Hip fractures are breaks in the upper part of the femur where it meets the pelvis. 0ver 200,000 hip fractures occur every year, with 50% of those in people age 80 or over. These fractures need to be repaired and carry a high mortality if left untreated. Most are related to osteoporosis and occur after a fall.