Your Guide After a Hip Fracture
Starting Rehab
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The goal is for you to get back to the activities that you were able to do before you fractured your hip. To help you reach that goal, we’ll get you moving around as soon as possible after surgery. Staff will help you, but much of the work is up to you. Keep in mind, the more active you are, the sooner you’ll be ready to go home.
Hip Movement Precautions
Your surgeon will leave an order about how much weight you can put on your repaired hip. Don’t put more weight on the side that was fixed than your nurse or therapist say you can.
Depending on what surgery you had, you may have some movement precautions (the “Do Not’s”). As you move around the nursing unit, you’ll be reminded how to move to protect your hip.
If pins, screws (e.g., Dynamic Hip Screw®), nails (e.g., Gamma® nail), or plates were used to repair your broken hip, go to the
next section to read about hip exercises. You don’t have to read the information below.
If you had a hemiarthroplasty (partial joint replacement) there are some movements that you must
not do to keep your new hip from slipping out of the joint (dislocating). |
The pictures below show the right way to sit in a chair and lay in bed:
- sit up straight
- keep your legs uncrossed
| If you had a
hemiarthroplasty (partial joint replacement) repair,
do not do any of the movements below for at least
3 months after surgery. |
DO NOT bend your hip more than 90o:
-
Do not reach forward towards your feet (e.g., to pick up something you’ve dropped).
-
Do not bring your knee higher than your hip when sitting (e.g., to tie your shoes).
-
Do not reach down for objects on the floor.
- Sit on a firm chair that gives you good foot and leg support.
DO NOT twist your body:
-
Do not reach across your body. Organize your things so that you can easily reach them when you’re in bed.
- When walking, make sure that you take small steps when turning.
- Keep your shoulders and hips in line at all times and don’t twist your leg inwards or outwards.
DO NOT cross your legs or your ankles:
- Crossing your legs or ankles could cause your hip to dislocate.
- Putting your ankle on your knee or thigh could cause your hip to dislocate.
- Always use a pillow between your legs when you’re lying in bed.
NOTE: If pins, screws, nails, or plates were used to repair your broken hip, you do not need to follow the movement (hip) precautions above. |
Current as of: January 9, 2015
Author: Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services
