Hip Fracture Recovery: Surgery, Rehab and Going Home, Week by Week

Hip fracture recovery usually starts with surgery on the day you arrive in hospital or the day after, then getting up with a physiotherapist from the next day. Most people spend around 1 to 4 weeks in hospital, and the bone takes several weeks or months to heal. The other big part of recovery is making sure it does not happen again.

What happens straight after a hip fracture?

A broken hip is treated in hospital straight away, and almost everyone needs an operation. The NHS says you will usually have surgery on the same day or the day after you arrive at hospital NHS. The Royal College of Physicians' carers' guide, citing NICE, says surgery should take place on the day of, or the day after, admission Royal College of Physicians.

Speed matters for comfort as well as healing. As one orthogeriatrician quoted in the RCP guide puts it, "the best form of pain relief for someone with a broken hip is an operation." Surgery can be delayed if you have a urine or chest infection, anaemia or heart problems that need treating first Royal Osteoporosis Society.

What kind of surgery is used for a broken hip?

The operation either fixes the broken bone or replaces the top of the thighbone. The Royal Osteoporosis Society says a broken hip usually needs an operation to fix or replace the top of the thighbone, and it can be done under a general anaesthetic or with an injection into the spine that numbs the lower half of the body Royal Osteoporosis Society. Your surgeon will explain which option suits your fracture.

After surgery, pain is usually managed with regular pain-relieving injections or a pump you control yourself, which gives safe amounts of medicine into a vein Royal Osteoporosis Society.

When do you get up after hip fracture surgery?

Usually the day after the operation. The RCP says rehabilitation usually begins on the day after surgery, and the aim of surgery is to let you get up and put weight on your hip straight away Royal College of Physicians.

A physiotherapist will usually support you to get out of bed and use a walking frame. Getting moving early also helps reduce the chance of problems such as a chest infection or blood clots Royal Osteoporosis Society. The ROS advice is to take it steady at first: you will gradually become more mobile as the days pass.

The NHS adds that it is important to do the exercises your physiotherapist recommends regularly NHS. Some people need extra help with walking, getting to the toilet and doing their exercises, and carers are welcome to join rehab sessions Royal College of Physicians.

What is delirium, and why does the team watch for it?

Delirium is a sudden, usually temporary, state of confusion that can happen after a broken hip or any operation in an older person. The RCP says it can seriously affect how well someone recovers, and asks families to tell staff as soon as possible if they are worried Royal College of Physicians.

Signs to mention include confusion that comes on suddenly or varies during the day, drowsiness, or agitation and restlessness that are not normal for that person. You know the person best, so your observations help the ward team.

How long is the hospital stay after a broken hip?

The NHS says you will usually spend around 1 to 4 weeks in hospital NHS. The Royal Osteoporosis Society gives a range of five days to three weeks, and says the exact time depends on how fit and healthy you were before breaking your hip. You may need a period of rehabilitation after the operation before you can go home safely Royal Osteoporosis Society.

Because everyone is different, the RCP says it is not easy to predict exactly when someone will be ready to leave. The hospital team writes a discharge plan based on an assessment of the person Royal College of Physicians.

What does the hip fracture recovery timeline look like?

Recovery happens in stages, and the bone itself usually takes several weeks or months to heal. A rough guide, based on NHS, ROS and RCP information:

Stage	What usually happens
Day 0 to 1	Assessment, pain relief, and surgery on the same day or the day after arrival
Day after surgery	First time out of bed with a physiotherapist, often using a walking frame
First days to weeks	Daily physio, building up walking and everyday tasks; watch for delirium
Around 1 to 4 weeks	Discharge home, or to a rehab setting first if needed
6 to 12 weeks and beyond	Bone healing continues; strength and confidence keep improving with exercise

The RCP guide says a broken hip usually takes 6 to 12 weeks to heal, but can take longer Royal College of Physicians. Our guide to how long a fracture takes to heal explains the stages of bone healing.

What should you expect when you go home?

You will be given exercises to keep doing at home, and some people need help from carers or other health professionals. The NHS says this support is common when moving back home NHS. The RCP says the hospital should make sure you have enough medication for the first week Royal College of Physicians.

It is worth being prepared for the long view. The NHS is honest that you may never get back the same strength and movement you had before the break, and you may need a walking stick or frame NHS. Many people still return to a good level of independence, and steady practice of your exercises makes the biggest difference. If your general health was poor before the fracture, recovery and returning to living independently can take longer Royal Osteoporosis Society.

Practical things that help at home:

• Keep up your exercises every day, as your physiotherapist showed you.
• Clear trip hazards such as loose rugs and trailing cables.
• Use the equipment you are given, such as a frame, raised toilet seat or perching stool.
• Eat well, with plenty of protein. The ROS lists a balanced diet with protein and not smoking as ways to support healing.

Does osteoporosis affect healing after a broken hip?

No. The Royal Osteoporosis Society says that if you have broken your hip, it should heal as normal, because osteoporosis does not affect the healing process Royal Osteoporosis Society. But a hip broken in a fall from standing height is a strong sign that bones may be fragile, which is why the next step matters.

How do you prevent another fracture after a broken hip?

Ask for a bone health and falls assessment, and take any bone treatment you are prescribed. UK guidance from the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) recommends starting treatment promptly after a fragility fracture, because the risk of re-fracture is highest immediately after a fracture and stays raised NOGG, 2024. NOGG also says fracture risk is approximately doubled after a previous fracture NOGG, 2024.

NOGG recommends that falls risk is assessed in people with fragility fractures, and that those at risk are offered an exercise programme to improve balance and muscle strength NOGG, 2024. The NHS says that if you are over 50, a fracture liaison service can help prevent further broken bones, and you can ask your GP surgery if there is one near you NHS. Our guide to fragility fractures explains what a fracture liaison service does.

Medicines used after a hip fracture can include tablets such as alendronic acid or a yearly drip such as zoledronic acid. Our osteoporosis treatment guide covers the options and how they are taken. For everyday steps to lower your risk, see hip fracture prevention and our falls prevention exercises. Your doctor may also use a tool such as FRAX; our explainer on fracture risk and FRAX shows how it works.

Once you are back on your feet, some people like to keep track of their bone health over time. Screen My Bones offers radiation-free REMS screening of the spine and hip. It is a screening and monitoring option, not a diagnostic test, and UK guidance (NOGG) does not recommend REMS for diagnosing osteoporosis, so DEXA remains the test for a formal diagnosis. Please discuss any result with your GP or specialist. You can read about our bone health assessment or book a screening.

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This article is part of our healthy ageing series. It is general information, not medical advice. Always follow the advice of your hospital team, physiotherapist and GP.