After the Procedure:

You will stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days. But full recovery will take from 2 to 3 months to a year.

After surgery:

• You will have an IV (a catheter, or tube, that is inserted into a vein, usually in your arm). You will receive fluids through the IV until you are able to drink on your own.
• Special “compression” stockings on your legs to improve blood flow in your legs. These reduce your risk of getting blood clots, which are more common after leg surgery.
• Your doctor will prescribe pain medicines. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
• You may have a Foley catheter inserted into your bladder to drain urine. It will be removed when you are ready to start urinating on your own. Usually it is removed 2 or 3 days after surgery.
• You may be taught how to use a device called a spirometer and do deep breathing and coughing exercises. Doing these exercises will help prevent pneumonia.

You will be encouraged to start moving and walking as soon as the first day after surgery. Most of the problems that develop after hip fracture surgery can be prevented by getting out of bed and walking as soon as possible.

• You will be helped out of bed to a chair on the first day after surgery. When you are in bed, bend and straighten your ankles often to increase blood flow to help prevent blood clots.
• You will start walking with crutches or a walker. You will be asked not to place too much weight on to the foot.

You will probably be able to go home when:

• You can move around safely with a walker or crutches.
• You are doing your exercises correctly.
• Your home is ready.

Some people need a short stay in a rehabilitation center after they leave the hospital and before they go home. At a rehab center, you will learn how to safely do your daily activities on your own.

You might need to use crutches or a walker for a few weeks or months after surgery.

Outlook (Prognosis):

You will do better if you get out of bed and start moving as soon as you can after your surgery. Most of the problems that develop after this surgery are caused by being inactive.

Your doctor and nurse will help you decide whether it is safe for you to go home after you have had this surgery to repair your hip fracture.