Understanding Hip Fractures: Rehabilitation and Recovery Tips

Hip Fractures: Types and Causes

Our hip joint comprises two bones - The femur bone and the pelvic bone. The femur bone (thigh bone) is attached to the pelvis's acetabulum (a small cup-shaped socket in the pelvis). Structurally, this joint is similar to the shoulder joint but more stable, with massive muscles to hold it together. 

Even with this stability, these strong bones can get fractured right through the structures in the hip joint. 

Based on where in the hip joint the fracture happens, it is classified mainly into three types:

• Intracapsular Fractures: The fractures occur within the joint capsule, a protective covering around the hip joint. 
   
• Extracapsular Fractures: The fractures occurring outside the joint capsule.
   
• Acetabular fractures occur due to the break in the acetabulum, the cup-shaped socket in the pelvis. These are very rare in occurrence and may be caused by high-power trauma like car crashes, etc.

Like any other fracture, hip fractures can happen due to falls, trauma, etc. Another condition for hip fractures is osteoporosis. It is a significant risk factor for hip fractures, especially in women after menopause.

Treatment and Recovery of Hip Fractures

Hip joints are responsible for walking, running, and other essential daily movements. A fracture in such a critical joint can be life-threatening. Hence, the treatment and recovery process for hip joint fractures are crucial. Any defect in the treatment or recovery process can affect your future quality of life. 

The treatment involves surgical interventions. The following are the surgeries that healthcare providers usually perform:

Hip Fracture Repair: Employed to fix the broken hip bones, involves using screws, rods, plates etc.

Hemiarthroplasty: It is performed to replace the fractured part of the hip joint, usually replacing the head of your thigh bone.

Total Hip Replacement: The surgery removes all the damaged parts of the hip joint, including bone and cartilage.

Rehabilitation Process

The rehabilitation process of your hip bone fracture is equally essential as surgery when addressing it. The rehabilitation determines proper healing and complete regaining of the joint functions. This process comprises three stages:

Recovery Timeline

The recovery period for a hip fracture depends on the type of fracture, the age of the patient and overall health condition, and the type of surgery performed. Following is the general timeline for recovery:

• Hospitalisation: Most patients will be admitted for 3-5 days after surgery.
   
• Inpatient Rehabilitation: Some patients may require the help of an inpatient rehabilitation facility for a few weeks. 
   
• Outpatient Rehabilitation: Once the patient is more stabilised, outpatient rehabilitation starts. It usually involves 2 or 3 sessions per week.
   
• Return to Daily Activities: Within 3-6 months of surgery, the patients can return to their daily activities. However, some patients may require a more extended period.

Rehabilitation Strategies for Effective Recovery

A hip fracture surgery requires a rehabilitation plan that helps patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence. The process starts in the hospital and can continue at home or rehabilitation centres. Some common exercises for hip fracture rehabilitation include:

• Range-of-Motion Exercises: These exercises can help increase the range of motion in the hip joint. Examples include leg swings, ankle circles, and hip circles.
   
• Strengthening Exercises: These target the muscles surrounding the hip joint, such as hip abduction and adduction, knee extensions, and hamstring curls.
   
• Balance and Coordination Exercises: These exercises improve balance and coordination, such as standing on one leg, walking heel-to-toe, and walking backwards.
   
• Functional Exercises: These exercises help patients improve their ability to perform daily activities such as sitting and standing, getting up and down from the floor, and climbing stairs.

Ayurveda for Hip Fracture Rehabilitation and Recovery

Ayurveda can surprise you every time. Be it the problems concerning your health or the solutions to prevent diseases or to maintain health, Ayurveda has solutions for all. Ayurveda has external therapies and internal medications that can help regain complete strength. These were explained centuries ago in Ayurveda, and they are still being practised and found to be effective. 

Ayurvedic Tips and Tricks for Easy Recovery

• Ayurvedic practitioners advise the patient to consume a glass of milk with a bit of ghee every morning. 
   
• As a patient, you must ensure that you have a proper nutrition intake. Ayurveda advises employing shali rice (a highly nutritious variety), meat preparation, milk, ghee, and pea soup as your diet inclusions.
   
• Regular consumption of meat soup may help in fracture healing.
   
• External application of Narayana oil (medicated herbal oil good for strengthening) along with 30gm of ashwagandha paste efficiently promotes healing.
   
• Gandha Taila or Gandha Oil, the absolute medicine prescribed for fractures in Ayurveda, is very effective and easy to use. Taking 5-8 drops of gandha taila along with a glass of milk improves the healing process of the bones and makes them stronger. Soft gel capsule forms of gandha taila are also available if you are not willing to drink oil.
   
• Panchakarma procedures like paprika (continuous pouring of medicated liquids to the affected area) and abhyanga (medicated oil massage) also aid rehabilitation.
   
• The fractured patients should reduce the consumption of salty, sour, alkaline and pungent-tasting foods.

Ayurvedic Perception of Signs of Ideally Healed and United Bones

• Absence of swelling or hardness when examined externally with touch.
• Absence of shortening and deformities.
• Painless and easy movements.

Nutrition and Hydration

After experiencing a hip fracture, it is crucial to follow a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients strictly. Protein plays a significant role in building and repairing tissues, while calcium and vitamin D are needed to maintain strong and healthy bones. Iron is also vital for carrying oxygen throughout the body. 

In addition to consuming nutrient-rich foods, staying hydrated is equally essential. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to transport nutrients throughout the body and aids in the elimination of waste products.

To Conclude

To stand straight, you have to think straight. Always be aware that the rehabilitation process after the hip surgery is equally important. You should approach this period with utmost care and precaution. The successful completion of this period not only ensures you prevent complications but also the regaining of the complete strength of your hip joint and bones.

Physiotherapy has a considerable role in regaining your hip joints' everyday functioning and strength. By combining ayurvedic wisdom with Physiotherapy and following the proper diet, you can easily enhance the rehabilitation process and run your way into your everyday healthy life.