Hip Fracture

Home Treatment

To help you recover from hip fracture surgery, your doctor will recommend a rehabilitation (rehab) program based on what part of your hip was fractured and the type of surgery done to repair it. A rehab program will include exercises to help you regain your strength and your ability to move around, retraining in simple daily activities, and ideas for staying active. Your doctor may recommend that you:

• Begin balance training (with a physical therapist from your hospital or local community centre).
• Avoid movements that may strain your hip (or your new artificial hip parts).

After hip fracture surgery, you may need to learn new ways to do simple daily activities.

• You will probably need to use a walking aid (such as a walker, cane, or crutches) for several months. For more information on how to use walking aids, see:
  • Using a walker.
  • Using crutches.
  • Using a cane.
• Cooking and other simple daily activities, such as bathing, may be difficult for you to do alone. There are devices such as dressing aids, raised toilet seats and bath benches, and handrails that may be helpful for you. Your local chapter of the Arthritis Society or a medical supply company may be able to help you find assistive devices in your area.
• You may need to make changes to your home to reduce your risk for falls. Household hazards that can cause falls include slippery floors, cords, poor lighting, cluttered walkways, furniture placement that does not allow a clear pathway for walking, and throw rugs. For more information, see:

  Making your home fall-proof.

Take care of yourself:

• Stay active, and exercise a little every day.
• Eat a nutritious diet.
• Limit alcohol use.
• Don't smoke.
• Take the correct medicine at the correct time.
• Get your eyes checked on a regular basis.

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Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Carrie Henley	Last Updated: July 9, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Kenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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