Physical Therapy For Hip Fractures After An Accident   

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), as many as 300,000 people experience a hip fracture every year, in the United States alone. A fractured hip is a serious injury that will require physical therapy to regain as close to full function as possible. Keep reading to learn more about physical therapy for hip fractures.

How Physical Therapy For A Hip Fracture Supports Recovery

According to the AAOS, the majority of hip fractures occur in patients over the age of 65, due to bones that have been weakened by osteoporosis. When a hip fracture occurs in a younger patient, it is usually the result of a traumatic injury, such as a car accident or a fall from a significant height.

Whether the hip fracture was a result of a fall, a car accident, or another injury, physical therapy is going to be recommended, generally within a day of surgery (most hip fractures require surgical intervention).

Hip fracture physical therapy aims to assist patients in regaining full function after a hip fracture, while also assisting with pain management and preventing further injuries.

Benefits Of Physical Therapy For A Hip Fracture

According to the Mayo Clinic, how extensive the surgical repair and the following rehabilitation will depend on the type of fracture. These factors also influence how long and what types of physical therapy treatments you will need.

In general, you can expect the following benefits from physical therapy:

• Improved or maintained mobility.
• Improve range of motion achieved through range of motion exercises.
• Increased strength.
• Increased balance.
• Skills to increase independence.
• Reduced pain.
• Skills to prevent further injury.

The Treatment Process

Whether you require physical therapy after a car accident or another type of injury, the treatment process for physical therapy for a hip fracture will generally go as follows:

Initial Evaluation

At ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic, at your initial appointment, you will work with a physical therapist who will go over your case, discuss your goals for recovery, and you will be offered an onsite X-ray.

You and your physical therapist will then create your customized treatment plan, based on your specific goals for recovery, our professional recommendations, and the treatments and services we offer.

What Happens In Physical Therapy?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, depending on the extent of your injury, physical therapy may begin with a physical therapist moving your leg(s) and hip joints for you in targeted exercises. In less severe cases, you will be assisted and observed while doing targeted exercises.

Physical therapy will combine one or more of the following elements to target your specific injury under observation from a trained physical therapist:

• Stretching exercises to maintain flexibility.
• Strength training exercises (with and without equipment, such as resistance bands, weights, etc.).
• Massage therapy.
• Heat therapy.
• Cold therapy.
• Hydrotherapy (therapy done while submerged in water).
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Setting Goals

The goal of physical therapy is to help patients suffering from a hip injury recover, improve their overall quality of life, and to achieve goals that will prevent further injury and pain for the long-term.

Your physical therapist will continue to work with you to adjust your treatment plan as you heal, reach your goals, and/or learn to live independently with your injury. 

How ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Assists Patients After Experiencing A Fractured Hip

ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic provides thorough and customizable physical therapy services to patients recovering from serious injuries, such as a fractured hip. Our highly trained staff are ready to use their expert experience to help you recover and get back to living your best life.

At ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic, you can expect:

• Compassionate and motivational care.
• Individualized treatment plans.
• Evidence-backed treatments.
• X-rays available onsite.
• Attorney referrals.

If you’re ready to start your recovery journey, request an appointment today. You can also check out our frequently asked questions page to learn more about us and our process.

Recovering from a hip fracture can be an arduous task. The staff at ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic understand how challenging this process can be. We’re ready to work with you to meet your goals, control your pain, and to get you moving again.