Broken Hip Recovery

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSurgical RecoveryOptimal Recovery From Hip FracturesChances of Broken Hip RecoveryBroken Hip Recovery Time

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Surgical Recovery

Optimal Recovery From Hip Fractures

Chances of Broken Hip Recovery

Broken Hip Recovery Time

That said, this will vary from person to person, and some people never regain full functioning.

Physical therapy can help to restore mobility, strength, and balance, but often to varying degrees. A hip fracture can cause a steep decline in functioning in older people, for example.

This article discusses the hip fracture recovery process.

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Surgical Recovery After a Broken Hip

Almost all hip fractures of the femur (thigh bone) require surgery.Nonsurgical treatment is only considered for very specific fracture types, such as if the break is only on the pelvis side of the hip joint (and not the femur).

Your recovery begins immediately after surgery.

Controlling Pain

As soon as possible, you will be transitioned to oral medications, including opioids like morphine or oxycodone,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents(NSAIDS) like naproxen or ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.

Other pain control methods include nerve blocks, neurostimulation, and traction. Alternative therapies like acupuncture can also help control pain.

Preventing Pnemonia

Because there is an increased risk of pneumonia after a hip fracture, you may be given anincentive spirometerto use in the hospital. This is a method of exercising your lungs to keep them as healthy as possible. Use theincentive spirometeraccording to the advice from your healthcare provider.

Staying Hydrated

Proper hydration is important while healing from a hip fracture, but especially so in older people.Drinking enough water will help to support muscles as they heal and reduce strain on bones and joints.

For those over age 65, try to ensure a daily fluid intake of 2250 milliliters (ml) with 60% from drinking liquids and 40% from water in foods, like fruits.But check with your healthcare provider, as it may differ depending on other underlying health conditions.

Keep in mind that some people may need additional support with meals and nutrition, as well as hydration, while recovering from a broken hip.

Starting Physical Therapy

There’s a good chance that physical therapy after a hip fracture will begin in the hospital or rehabilitation center. Mobility and therapy are priorities within the first few days after surgery.

But physical therapy and rehabilitation typically continue on an outpatient basis for weeks, especially because people recovering from hip fracture have difficulty walking.Home-based exercises to improve strength, balance, and range of motion also help with recovery.

Be sure to follow guidance from your orthopedic surgeon and healthcare team when starting your physical therapy activities.

The best way to recover from a hip fracture is to get moving as soon as possible. Immobility opens the door to the possibility of significant complications.

It is critical to get patients up and moving as soon as possible after surgery. There are a number of ways to help accomplish this goal.

Most importantly, the surgery should be performed soon after the injury. There is controversy about how soon the surgery should be performed, but ideally within 48 hours of the injury, and possibly sooner.

Many hospitals are getting better equipped at getting individuals with broken hips to an operating room on either the day of or the day after their injury.

There are situations where surgery has to be delayed, such as when there are other major medical issues that need to be addressed prior to a surgical procedure.

Another common situation is when an individual on blood-thinning medication breaks their hip. The blood-thinning effects may need to be reversed prior to safely performing surgery.

The second step is to quickly get up and moving after the surgery. In the hours and days after surgery, the nursing staff and therapists will be working to get people up and moving. Even changing position and sitting up in a chair can help to prevent some of the complications that can occur in people with broken hips.

Unfortunately, full recovery after a broken hip occurs in only about half of all people. The other half will have a decline in function when compared to their pre-injury activity level.

Sadly, about 22% of people who break a hip don’t live for a full year after their injury.This group tends to represent the frailest people who break a hip. The good news is this number seems to be falling, meaning recovery from hip fracture is improving worldwide.

Regaining mobility, strength, and balance affects one’s ability to return to full functioning.

Mobility

In order for joints to function properly, they need to move.A joint that is frozen in spacemay have good muscle tissue surrounding the joint, but without proper movement, those muscles cannot function properly.

Strength

Restoration of muscle strength is critical after breaking one’s hip. Unlike a hip replacement surgery recovery, where the muscle damage is minimal, the trauma of breaking a hip bone also damages muscle function significantly.

In order to regain muscle function, it is critical to get the muscles working as soon as possible after surgery to prevent potentially permanent atrophy of the muscle tissue.

Balance

Recovery of balance is critical not only to regain function but also to prevent the potential for further injury. Balance is critical to activity, and a decline in function is often the result of a loss of balance.

The use of ambulatory aids (canes or walkers) can be helpful, but regainingproprioceptionand balance can help restore activity.

Full healing of a broken hip can take many months. Most fractures take 10 to 12 weeks for healing, and the muscle strength and mobility can take much longer. Typically, people get close to their full recovery within 6 months of the injury, but it can take up to a full year to achieve as much improvement as possible.

That said, people who sustain a hip fracture should not wait for months or longer to be aggressive with their therapy. As time passes, the likelihood of regaining function steadily declines—the strongest gains are made early in the recovery process.

On a positive note, many people who sustain a hip fracture do recover their pre-injury level of activity and are able to return to their normal activities. Unfortunately, however, not everyone is able to make that type of recovery.

Most people think of aging as a steady, gradual decline in function. The reality is that as people age, they much more commonly experience long periods of steady functional activity, with intermittent sharp declines in function. A hip fracture can be an event that initiates a sharp decline.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Roytman GR, Ramji AF, Beitler B, et al.Simulating prophylactic fixation methods for osteoporotic femoral neck fracture prevention.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2022;13:21514593221141376. doi:10.1177/21514593221141376Schroeder JD, Turner SP, Buck E.Hip Fractures: Diagnosis and Management.Am Fam Physician. 2022 Dec;106(6):675-683. PMID: 36521464.Royal College of Physicians.Hip fracture: eating and drinking for recovery.Roigk P.Nutrition and Hydration. 2018 Jun 16. In: Hertz K, Santy-Tomlinson J, editors. Fragility Fracture Nursing: Holistic Care and Management of the Orthogeriatric Patient [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2018.Magaziner J, Mangione KK, Orwig D, Baumgarten M, Magder L, Terrin M,et al.Effect of a Multicomponent Home-Based Physical Therapy Intervention on Ambulation After Hip Fracture in Older Adults: The CAP Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA. 2019 Sep 10;322(10):946-956. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.12964.Lee KJ, Um SH, Kim YH.Postoperative rehabilitation after hip fracture: a literature review.Hip Pelvis. 2020;32(3):125-131. doi:10.5371/hp.2020.32.3.125Downey C, Kelly M, Quinlan JF.Changing trends in the mortality rate at 1-year post hip fracture - a systematic review.World J Orthop. 2019;10(3):166-175. doi:10.5312/wjo.v10.i3.166Stott-Eveneshen S, Sims-Gould J, McAllister MM, et al.Reflections on Hip Fracture Recovery From Older Adults Enrolled in a Clinical Trial.Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2017;3:2333721417697663. doi:10.1177/2333721417697663Additional ReadingMounasamy V, Guy P, Kates SL. “AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria: Treatment of Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 May;25(5):e105-e108.Quinn RH, Mooar PA, Murray JN, Pezold R, Sevarino KS. “Treatment of Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 May;25(5):e102-e104.Quinn RH, Mooar PA, Murray JN, Pezold R, Sevarino KS. “Postoperative Rehabilitation of Low Energy Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 Jan;25(1):e11-e14.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Roytman GR, Ramji AF, Beitler B, et al.Simulating prophylactic fixation methods for osteoporotic femoral neck fracture prevention.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2022;13:21514593221141376. doi:10.1177/21514593221141376Schroeder JD, Turner SP, Buck E.Hip Fractures: Diagnosis and Management.Am Fam Physician. 2022 Dec;106(6):675-683. PMID: 36521464.Royal College of Physicians.Hip fracture: eating and drinking for recovery.Roigk P.Nutrition and Hydration. 2018 Jun 16. In: Hertz K, Santy-Tomlinson J, editors. Fragility Fracture Nursing: Holistic Care and Management of the Orthogeriatric Patient [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2018.Magaziner J, Mangione KK, Orwig D, Baumgarten M, Magder L, Terrin M,et al.Effect of a Multicomponent Home-Based Physical Therapy Intervention on Ambulation After Hip Fracture in Older Adults: The CAP Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA. 2019 Sep 10;322(10):946-956. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.12964.Lee KJ, Um SH, Kim YH.Postoperative rehabilitation after hip fracture: a literature review.Hip Pelvis. 2020;32(3):125-131. doi:10.5371/hp.2020.32.3.125Downey C, Kelly M, Quinlan JF.Changing trends in the mortality rate at 1-year post hip fracture - a systematic review.World J Orthop. 2019;10(3):166-175. doi:10.5312/wjo.v10.i3.166Stott-Eveneshen S, Sims-Gould J, McAllister MM, et al.Reflections on Hip Fracture Recovery From Older Adults Enrolled in a Clinical Trial.Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2017;3:2333721417697663. doi:10.1177/2333721417697663Additional ReadingMounasamy V, Guy P, Kates SL. “AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria: Treatment of Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 May;25(5):e105-e108.Quinn RH, Mooar PA, Murray JN, Pezold R, Sevarino KS. “Treatment of Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 May;25(5):e102-e104.Quinn RH, Mooar PA, Murray JN, Pezold R, Sevarino KS. “Postoperative Rehabilitation of Low Energy Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 Jan;25(1):e11-e14.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Roytman GR, Ramji AF, Beitler B, et al.Simulating prophylactic fixation methods for osteoporotic femoral neck fracture prevention.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2022;13:21514593221141376. doi:10.1177/21514593221141376Schroeder JD, Turner SP, Buck E.Hip Fractures: Diagnosis and Management.Am Fam Physician. 2022 Dec;106(6):675-683. PMID: 36521464.Royal College of Physicians.Hip fracture: eating and drinking for recovery.Roigk P.Nutrition and Hydration. 2018 Jun 16. In: Hertz K, Santy-Tomlinson J, editors. Fragility Fracture Nursing: Holistic Care and Management of the Orthogeriatric Patient [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2018.Magaziner J, Mangione KK, Orwig D, Baumgarten M, Magder L, Terrin M,et al.Effect of a Multicomponent Home-Based Physical Therapy Intervention on Ambulation After Hip Fracture in Older Adults: The CAP Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA. 2019 Sep 10;322(10):946-956. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.12964.Lee KJ, Um SH, Kim YH.Postoperative rehabilitation after hip fracture: a literature review.Hip Pelvis. 2020;32(3):125-131. doi:10.5371/hp.2020.32.3.125Downey C, Kelly M, Quinlan JF.Changing trends in the mortality rate at 1-year post hip fracture - a systematic review.World J Orthop. 2019;10(3):166-175. doi:10.5312/wjo.v10.i3.166Stott-Eveneshen S, Sims-Gould J, McAllister MM, et al.Reflections on Hip Fracture Recovery From Older Adults Enrolled in a Clinical Trial.Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2017;3:2333721417697663. doi:10.1177/2333721417697663

Roytman GR, Ramji AF, Beitler B, et al.Simulating prophylactic fixation methods for osteoporotic femoral neck fracture prevention.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2022;13:21514593221141376. doi:10.1177/21514593221141376

Schroeder JD, Turner SP, Buck E.Hip Fractures: Diagnosis and Management.Am Fam Physician. 2022 Dec;106(6):675-683. PMID: 36521464.

Royal College of Physicians.Hip fracture: eating and drinking for recovery.

Roigk P.Nutrition and Hydration. 2018 Jun 16. In: Hertz K, Santy-Tomlinson J, editors. Fragility Fracture Nursing: Holistic Care and Management of the Orthogeriatric Patient [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2018.

Magaziner J, Mangione KK, Orwig D, Baumgarten M, Magder L, Terrin M,et al.Effect of a Multicomponent Home-Based Physical Therapy Intervention on Ambulation After Hip Fracture in Older Adults: The CAP Randomized Clinical Trial.JAMA. 2019 Sep 10;322(10):946-956. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.12964.

Lee KJ, Um SH, Kim YH.Postoperative rehabilitation after hip fracture: a literature review.Hip Pelvis. 2020;32(3):125-131. doi:10.5371/hp.2020.32.3.125

Downey C, Kelly M, Quinlan JF.Changing trends in the mortality rate at 1-year post hip fracture - a systematic review.World J Orthop. 2019;10(3):166-175. doi:10.5312/wjo.v10.i3.166

Stott-Eveneshen S, Sims-Gould J, McAllister MM, et al.Reflections on Hip Fracture Recovery From Older Adults Enrolled in a Clinical Trial.Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2017;3:2333721417697663. doi:10.1177/2333721417697663

Mounasamy V, Guy P, Kates SL. “AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria: Treatment of Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 May;25(5):e105-e108.Quinn RH, Mooar PA, Murray JN, Pezold R, Sevarino KS. “Treatment of Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 May;25(5):e102-e104.Quinn RH, Mooar PA, Murray JN, Pezold R, Sevarino KS. “Postoperative Rehabilitation of Low Energy Hip Fractures in the Elderly” J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 Jan;25(1):e11-e14.

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