The day after your surgery

On the day after your surgery, you can expect to:

• do your own self-care (like wash yourself)
• start physical therapy
• get out of bed with help (follow your weight-bearing instructions)
• sit in a chair for at least 1 meal
• do your deep breathing and bed exercises
• still have your I.V.
• have your bladder catheter taken out (you can use a toilet with a raised seat or commode chair to go to the bathroom)
• eat your meals and snacks
• drink a nutritional supplement 3 or 4 times a day
• have blood work and other tests, as needed

For medicines, you can expect to:

• restart your regular medicine (as ordered by your healthcare provider)
• start taking calcium and vitamin D
• take medicine for pain or discomfort as needed (especially before your physical therapy), or if your stomach is upset
• keep taking a blood thinner



Days 2 to 5 after your surgery

On days 2 to 5 after your surgery, you can expect to:

• have your I.V. taken out (once you’re drinking well)
• have your dressing changed (as ordered by your surgeon)
• wash and dress yourself
• go for walks (wear supportive shoes)
• sit up in a chair for meals
• eat your meals and snacks
• keep drinking a nutrition supplement 3 or 4 times a day
• have other tests, such as x-rays (as needed)

A physical therapist (also called a PT) will:

• teach you exercises to strengthen and protect your hip while it heals
• show you how to use a walking aid to help you move around

An occupational therapist (also called an OT) will:

• help you learn how to use equipment that you may need at home
• teach you how to manage your self-care, like getting dressed
• show you how to get in and out of bed, get on and off the toilet and chairs, get in and out of the tub or shower, and get in and out of a car
• help you arrange the equipment and services you’ll need when you leave the hospital

Planning to leave the hospital

We encourage you and your family or support person to be involved in your recovery and planning for when you leave the hospital (also called getting discharged). If you live in a different town or city than the hospital, you may be sent to the hospital closer to where you live. If you live in long-term care, you’ll go back there. If you’re not ready to go home, you may be moved to another area of the hospital or another healthcare setting to keep working on your recovery.

Hip fracture recovery pathway

Find an overview of what to expect before surgery and up to 7 days after surgery in the Hip fracture recovery pathway: Before surgery to day 7 after surgery. The pathway is translated into 7 languages.​