Do your Phase 1 and Phase 2 exercises (see the Exercise section).

Don’t drive until your doctor says you can. To drive safely, your leg and hip muscles and your reflexes need to be as good as they were before you broke your hip. If you’re in an accident while you’re driving, your insurance may not cover you if it isn’t safe for you to drive.

It’s best to wait 3 months after your surgery before you have sex (intercourse). This is to protect your hip that had surgery until it’s fully healed. There are many types of sexual activity that are safe for you and your partner to try. Let your partner take the more active role.

If you need more support while at home:

• call Home Care Services in your area
• call Health Link at 811
• talk to your healthcare provider about how to arrange for an occupational therapist to come to your home – They can suggest changes to help make your home safer.
• call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre to get you a copy of the Seniors Information Guide that lists programs to help adults live safely on their own.

Medicine

Learn about the medicine you take. Know what your medicines are for and when and how to take them. If you need to take your medicine to prevent blood clots by a needle, your nurse will make sure that you or your family are comfortable giving the needle.

Keep taking your calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Diet

Poor nutrition (not eating well) and weak muscles can put you at a higher risk of falling. Good nutrition (eating well) along with physical activity helps you build and keep strong muscles for balance. Your body needs protein to build, repair, and keep the muscle tissue you have. Include a good source of protein at every meal, such as:

• meat, fish, or poultry
• tofu
• eggs
• cheese
• nuts and nut butters
• cooked dried beans, peas, or lentils

Also include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. If you’re unable to eat your usual amounts of food, eat small amounts more often. For example, eat 6 small meals a day.

To prevent constipation:

• drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow
• eat foods high in fibre like whole vegetables and fruit, whole grains, beans, and lentils

Your healthcare team will let you know if you need to keep taking a nutritional supplement drink.

Medical equipment

Use the medical equipment that your therapy team recommends. If you use a walker, don’t lift or carry anything while you use it.

If you need medical equipment for longer than 6 months, talk to your healthcare provider. They can let you know if you’re able to get the equipment through the Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) program.

If you can’t afford to make changes to your home or buy equipment you need, call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre.

Follow-up

Your nurse will talk to you about how to care for your incision at home.

You will get your staples taken out 10 to 14 days after surgery. Ask your nurse who can take out your staples. Also ask about your follow-up appointment so you know when it is, where to go, and who you’ll see.

The next time you see a doctor and dentist, let them know that you had surgery to repair a broken hip. You may need to take antibiotics before you have a medical or dental procedure.