The recovery time and pain involved with recovery from hip fracture surgery will depend on your age, what type of surgery you end up getting, and your overall health. Different surgeries address different types of fractures, and while some hip fracture surgery procedures may involve inserting metal pins or screws to hold the bone together, other surgeries may require complete joint replacement. Regardless of the type of surgery you undergo, you should expect to undergo a lengthy healing process that will eventually include physical therapy to restore mobility and strength after hip fracture surgery. In older patients, the recovery period can be painful and especially lengthy.
Partial joint replacement can also be performed as hip fracture surgery in some cases, and while the recovery time that results from this type of surgery is not as lengthy as that associated with a full joint replacement, one can still expect to be limited to bed rest for several weeks or even months. It is important to consult a doctor regularly to monitor swelling, pain, limited mobility, and possible infection of the incision wounds. Once the repaired area begins to heal, you will very likely need to visit a physical therapist several times a week to restore mobility and strength to the joint. This process can be one of the most frustrating and painful, but it is also the most important step in the process.
A full joint replacement hip fracture surgery will require that the entire hip joint be replaced with a prosthetic unit. Many patients feel an immediate difference after surgery and are able to recover relatively quickly. Many people even report feeling stronger and more flexible after the surgery, though such results are not guaranteed. Some patients may feel the same or even worse after surgery, at which point further consultations with a doctor will be necessary to determine the best course of action. Infections are common after such a surgery, which can be a setback in recovery time, so it is important to monitor the affected area closely and consult a doctor if pain develops or persists.
Be sure to ask your doctor plenty of questions about the type of hip fracture surgery you will undergo, as the type of surgery will have an impact not only on healing time, but also on daily functioning once healing has happened. Ask your doctor about the precautions you will need to take after the surgery and beyond to avoid damaging the surgically repaired bones, and ask if your doctor has recommendations for strengthening bones to avoid future fractures.
