Hip Rehabilitation: What do I do if it’s broken?

There are quite a few medical diagnoses that can put fear and anxiety in young and elderly patients, and a broken hip would definitely be one. 

 Here’s what you should expect as part of the process:

1. Immediate orthopaedic referral and imaging

*You should have your hip (both the femur and the pelvic) imaged and assessed to determine the severity of the damage.

2. Guidance regarding weight bearing protocol

*This could be non-weight bearing, weight bearing as tolerated, or partial-weight bearing. Your specialist will advise you as to what the correct level of load is safe for your hip. This may potentially require the use of a mobility aid, such as a four-wheeled walker, crutches, or a wheelchair.

3. The management direction

*Depending on the type of fracture to either your pelvis or hip joint (or both), and taking into consideration your specialist's expertise and opinion, you may either have conservative or non-conservative management of your hip.

*There decision will take into consideration many factors, such as and not limited to:

1. Age
2. Safety of the procedure (risk of infection, implant type, anesthesia)
3. Long term goals (sports, lifestyle factors)

4. Rehab

*Regardless of whether or not the management of the injury is conservative or surgical, a rehabilitation program should be a key component of a management plan for a fractured hip.

5. Consult with a physio

*Begin the key steps to getting back on track by ensuring you have discussed a plan of action with your medical specialist, and work with a physiotherapist who will get you back to your life and fitness goals safely and as smoothly as possible!

Book a consultation today: https://vancityphysio.janeapp.com/