A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thigh bone, near the hip joint. This injury significantly impacts movement and independence. Engaging in specific exercises is fundamental for regaining strength, improving movement, and restoring the ability to perform daily activities.
Initial Recovery Movements
Following a hip fracture and treatment, gentle movements promote healing and prevent complications. These initial exercises are often performed in bed or with limited mobility. Their purpose is to maintain blood circulation, prevent blood clots, and preserve basic range of motion to reduce stiffness.
Simple movements like ankle pumps, where the foot is pulled up and pointed down, are common early exercises. Heel slides, involving bending the knee and sliding the heel towards the buttocks, help with gentle knee and hip flexion. Tightening the thigh muscles (quad sets) or squeezing the buttocks (gluteal sets) for a few seconds can also maintain muscle engagement. Healthcare professionals typically guide these exercises in the early stages.
Building Strength and Mobility
As recovery progresses and weight-bearing is possible, the focus shifts to rebuilding muscle strength around the hip, thigh, and core, and increasing hip joint range of motion. Exercises often begin with assistance and gradually advance as strength improves.
Common exercises include chair stands, which strengthen leg and hip muscles by practicing standing from a seated position. Mini-squats, performed with support, build lower body strength and improve coordination. Leg raises, such as lifting the leg to the front, side, or back while lying or standing with support, target specific hip muscles. These movements restore functional strength and improve hip mobility.
Regaining Balance and Function
Once foundational strength is established, exercises enhancing balance, coordination, and daily task performance become central to rehabilitation. These movements prevent future falls and support a return to independent living.
Standing balance exercises, such as standing on one leg with support or practicing heel-to-toe walking, improve stability. Gait training, involving walking with proper form and gradually increasing distance, helps individuals relearn efficient and safe walking patterns. Exercises mimicking daily movements, like stepping up or down onto a small step, prepare the body for navigating environments outside the home, increasing confidence and independence.
Key Considerations for Recovery
Throughout recovery, listening to one’s body is important; exercises should not cause pain beyond mild discomfort (0-5 on a pain scale). Gradual progression is recommended, increasing intensity and duration slowly. The guidance of physical therapists and other healthcare professionals is valuable, as they tailor exercise plans and monitor progress.
Maintaining proper form prevents re-injury and ensures effective movements. Consistency in performing prescribed exercises contributes to better outcomes. Individuals should report signs warranting medical attention, such as new or increased swelling, persistent severe pain, or sudden inability to bear weight on the affected leg, to their healthcare provider.