What is casually called a “broken hip” usually isn’t. More often than not, it’s a fracture of the thigh bone (the femur) at the joint where it meets the pelvic bone (the hip socket). But whatever we call it, it’s a serious problem for anyone, but particularly so for those older than 65. It’s also expensive, costing Medicare almost $3 billion a year. The treatment involves more than “just” surgery. It also includes weeks or months of post-op therapy, usually in a nursing home or rehabilitation center. More often than not, it affects a patient’s quality of life, as statistics …