Question re: Hip Fracture

[Mimi Q]

My 77 yo father fell coming down the steps at church last night. He fractured his hip. No orthopedic surgeon on call last night. ER doc put it in traction and gave him plenty of pain meds. They are supposed to operate on him today, then he will have to rehab it. Just wondering if anyone can give me an idea of usual recovery time for a hip fracture.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am a physical therapist. This answer is so dependent on the type of fracture and what surgery they have to do and how his health and activity level are before the surgery.

If he was active and indepent before the fall and they do a surgery that leaves him full weight bearing, he will be up walking in a day or two with a walker. Some people go home with assistance (family member) at home in 3 - 5 days. They are back to independent in 6 weeks but may not need help after 2 weeks. Others reguire a stay in sub-acute rehab for a few weeks before going home.

PM me with any questions and I will try to help.

 

[pumba]

and some of the residents that have had sugury for this......are in the hospital for maybe four days and then into rehab facility for one to two weeks......the rehab nursing home that my mother in law went to is one that is very good.....and they work with the patients sometimes three times a day.....encouraging them to keep on moving......showing them how to make meals.......dress themselves.....get in and out of a vehicle ....in and out of a bathtub.....all things we take for granted until we are in pain and can't do this......I hope that your dad recoops fast and is back where he belongs......

 

[Robinrs]

How cooool is it to have a physical therapist on the board! Thanks Carol!

Both my parents had hip replacement surgeries and I was so amazed at how quickly they both recovered! It was by far the fastest recovery of any surgery they had.

Like the doctor told us they are well aware that the average hip replacement patient is of an advanced age and they have made all of the appropriate adjustments according to geriatric care.

I hope your Dad recovers well and

God bless,

Robinrs

 

[Mimi Q]

Thanks for the replies. The doctor's surgery schedule was already full today, so they are going to do the surgery at noon tomorrow. The doctor said a half hip replacement- just the ball part. The rehab place is an hour away from our home. I hope he can come home soon. Dad is mother's primary caregiver, and she needs a lot of supervision. He is the only one she willing accepts help from. They have been married 56 years. She wants to stay home by herself. I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.