home
RSS
May 11th, 2011
11:30 AM ET

How long does a broken hip take to heal?

Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Wednesdays, it's Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society.

Asked by Faye from Farmville, North Carolina

How long does it take to completely recover from hip fracture? I fell on December 8, then had surgery December 10 and came home from the hospital December 11. I'm doing well - walking with a cane but still limping.

Expert answer

Dear Faye:

A broken hip is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in people over the age of 65. It usually occurs as a result of a fall. It is often associated with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is often referred to as having brittle bones due to a loss of calcium.

Although there are several kinds of hip fractures, most are repaired with a hip replacement, also known as a total hip arthroplasty. Approximately 150,000 hip replacement operations are done each year in the U.S., and 500,000 are done worldwide. About half of these surgeries are done under emergency circumstances for a broken hip, and half are planned surgeries because of arthritis or other hip problems.

In this operation, the top of the femur (thigh) bone is cut off and a "man-made" top of femur replaces it. This prosthesis is circular or ball-like on top and generally made of metal. A semicircular plastic liner is placed in that part of the pelvis known as the acetabulum. This is where the upper leg comes in contact with the pelvis. The ball-like top of femur sits and moves in the semi-circular acetabulum, and this defines the hip joint.

In the surgery, a lot of muscles and ligaments are pulled and held away from the joint to allow the surgeon access. In this process, these soft tissues are damaged and need to heal after surgery. The patient who has a routine recovery can expect bruising of muscle and inflammation of the tendons at a minimum. These flesh injuries and tendonitis can be extremely painful and limit mobility. It can take several months to a year before complete recovery.

Those whose progress becomes stagnant at any time after surgery should have an evaluation by their orthopedic surgeon. The most common reason for a plateau in recovery is muscle weakness. Patients do benefit from regular physical therapy. Weight training and stretching can strengthen muscles and stretch ligaments. It is unfortunate that there is a tendency to skip physical therapy or take short cuts. This is a special problem among older patients.

Leg length discrepancy is also a common problem after surgery. Orthopedists do work hard to minimize leg length discrepancy, but it is difficult to do. A shoe lift may be needed to equalize the limb length, and some patients do end up needing a cane permanently.

Less common problems are heterotopic ossification and loosening of the artificial hip.

Heterotopic ossification involves a fibrous band that grows about the joint. It causes a stiffening of the hip and can begin occurring 10 days to two years after hip surgery.

Loose hip prostheses were a significant problem 20 years ago but less so today. Loosening of the artificial hip is more common among people who are overweight. When walking, a heavier person puts more stress on the prosthesis as it goes into the bone. Both heterotopic ossification and loosening of the prosthesis are diagnosed with physical examination and radiologic imaging.

 Post by:
Filed under: Expert Q&A
Next entry »
« Previous entry
soundoff (1,490 Responses)
  1. Internet Marketing Management

    Hello there! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I'll forward this post to him. Fairly certain he's going to have a very good read. Thanks for sharing!

    http://groupecho.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.affordableranking.com

    May 8, 2021 at 15:31 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. dapoxetine

    priligy generic buy priligy uk

    May 8, 2021 at 16:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Digital Marketing Job

    https://www.twinkcute.com/cgi-bin/out.cgi?id=31&l=top_top&req=1&t=100t&u=https://www.affordableranking.com

    May 8, 2021 at 16:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Internet Marketing Service

    Good post. I'm facing a few of these issues as well..

    https://domsons.com/locale/en?redirect=https://affordableranking.com

    May 8, 2021 at 17:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Local Marketing Companies Near Me

    http://www.nlpmiami.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 8, 2021 at 18:09 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. RV Headlights Near Me

    I need to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely loved every bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…

    https://iir.ai/wJTDk

    May 8, 2021 at 19:32 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. RV Plumbing Near Me

    https://oke.io/qx0e4j

    May 8, 2021 at 19:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Social Media Marketing Help

    http://www.uvaomos.news/bitrix/rk.php?goto=http://www.affordableranking.com

    May 8, 2021 at 21:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Social Media Marketing Company Irvine

    https://aguila.uasnet.mx/horde/util/go.php?url=https://affordableranking.com

    May 8, 2021 at 23:58 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Content Marketing Agency Near Me

    Saved as a favorite, I love your site!

    http://dralsmith.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 00:18 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Social Media Marketing Management

    This website was... how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I've found something that helped me. Thanks!

    https://www.franciscogonzalez.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 01:34 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Seo Marketing Services

    https://www.bushmail.co.uk/extlink.php?page=https://www.affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 04:18 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Content Marketing Agency Near Me

    Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It's always interesting to read through content from other authors and use a little something from other sites.

    https://www.fms.csonlineschool.com.au/changecurrency/1?returnurl=https://www.affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 06:11 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Google Marketing Agencies

    http://planetplayer.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 06:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Google Marketing Business

    Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes that make the most important changes. Many thanks for sharing!

    https://sij373.com/?wptouch_switch=mobile&redirect=https://affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 07:24 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. RV Awning Orange County

    I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!

    https://iir.ai/hpKf

    May 9, 2021 at 13:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. Google Marketing Companies

    https://tasteofaz.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 16:22 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. RV Shower California

    http://www.glass-container-mould.com/modules/babel/redirect.php?newlang=en_US&newurl=http3A2F2Focrvcenter.com

    May 9, 2021 at 17:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. Digital Marketing Master

    Saved as a favorite, I love your web site!

    http://libertic.com/scripts/bandeauClic.php?l=celine41288&b=12&k=34b4029217288acd65c814e2c3d48388&url=http://affordableranking.com&f=

    May 9, 2021 at 17:35 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. Digital Marketing Masters

    Everything is very open with a clear description of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is very useful. Many thanks for sharing!

    http://www.arrigonline.ch/peaktram/peaktram-spec-fr.php?num=3&return=http://affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 19:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. RV Wraps California

    Very nice blog post. I certainly love this site. Keep writing!

    https://www.filiere-bois.fr/redirection.php?url=http://ocrvcenter.com

    May 9, 2021 at 20:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. Internet Marketing Services

    I wanted to thank you for this good read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have got you book marked to look at new things you post…

    http://www.easystep.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?goto=http://www.affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 22:34 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Content Marketing Company Orange County

    http://wowfresh.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 9, 2021 at 22:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. Social Media Marketing Near Me

    http://prosoftball.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 10, 2021 at 13:31 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. Victoria

    Si precisan una comuna de herramientas http://bit.ly/comunaseo es la mejor opción , échenle una ojeada , no tiene perdida cupón ( Dscto20 )

    http://bit.ly/comunaseo

    May 10, 2021 at 15:19 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. Internet Marketing Mechanics

    Your style is very unique in comparison to other people I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I'll just book mark this site.

    https://www.realtor-sign.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 10, 2021 at 16:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. Seo Marketing Firm

    Great info. Lucky me I came across your site by chance (stumbleupon). I have book marked it for later!

    http://www.mainstreampublishing.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 10, 2021 at 18:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. Content Marketing Specialist

    I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I'm hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal site now 😉

    https://djaba.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?event1=&event2=&event3=&goto=https://affordableranking.com

    May 10, 2021 at 20:44 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. Internet Marketing Companies

    https://www.45-sleeves.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 10, 2021 at 23:11 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. Social Media Marketing Agencies

    I needed to thank you for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

    http://m.8461.net/papd/url.php?url=http://affordableranking.com

    May 10, 2021 at 23:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. Internet Marketing Job

    bookmarked!!, I like your blog!

    http://staffordct.org/imagegal/main.php?g2_controller=exif.SwitchDetailMode&g2_mode=summary&g2_return=http://affordableranking.com&g2_returnName=photo

    May 11, 2021 at 01:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. Seo Marketing Company Near Me

    http://findit.timesleader.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 02:10 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. Content Marketing Events

    http://www.1800prudential.info/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 03:51 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. Local Marketing Ideas

    Good web site you have here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!

    https://e-zbetting.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 05:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. Video Marketing Quote

    https://www.italiandecor.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 08:01 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. Content Marketing Events

    http://armeniahotel.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 08:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  37. Seo Marketing Firm

    An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast simply because I discovered it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this issue here on your blog.

    https://admin-mail2.parkfun.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 08:56 | Report abuse | Reply
  38. Video Marketing Videos

    https://analogmensch.de/externalcontent/links.php?url=//affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 10:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  39. Video Marketing Quote

    Very good article! We will be linking to this great content on our website. Keep up the good writing.

    http://geoipfacts.com/search/?ip=www.affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 11:45 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. Local Marketing Consultants

    https://www.nodoping.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    May 11, 2021 at 13:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. Digital Marketing Agency Irvine

    You are so interesting! I don't suppose I have read through a single thing like that before. So great to find somebody with original thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!

    http://asap.ro/modules/babel/redirect.php?newlang=ro_ro&newurl=http://bulknearme.com

    May 11, 2021 at 16:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. Internet Marketing Contractors

    http://ppllogistics.com/change_language.asp?language_id=en&MemberSite_session=site_128391_&link=http3A2F2Fmakemoneymommas.com

    May 11, 2021 at 17:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. clark griswold jerseys

    Thanks for every other informative web site.
    The place else could I am getting that kind of information written in such a
    perfect manner? I've a challenge that I am just now running on, and I've been at the glance out for such information.

    May 11, 2021 at 18:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  44. local rv repair shops

    http://czech-guide.aspone.cz/language.aspx?culture=cs-CZ&ReturnUrl=https://ocrv.today/rv-repair-shop-chino-hills-california

    May 11, 2021 at 20:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. 2006 Dodge Sprinter 2500 Heater Control Repair

    Excellent post. I will be facing many of these issues as well..

    http://www.freedback.com/thank_you.php?u=https://fleetservicesorangecounty.com/courier-van-repair-shop-near-me

    May 11, 2021 at 22:35 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. box truck repair shop

    I was very happy to find this web site. I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely liked every bit of it and i also have you book-marked to see new things on your site.

    http://fitness.flexybox.com/foreverfit/ViewSwitcher/SwitchView?mobile=True&returnUrl=http://youtube.com/watch?v=yRyWMuT9rYo&lang=da

    May 11, 2021 at 22:37 | Report abuse | Reply
  47. box truck repair near me

    https://sintesi.provincia.le.it/portale/LinkClick.aspx?link=https://youtube.com/watch?v=F8bq0owQFXw

    May 11, 2021 at 22:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  48. RV Cabinet California

    http://www.poetrypoem.com/cgi-bin/pa.pl?adid=5352&click_url=youtube.com/channel/UCGb9aC76nAmfzNsCru2KBHA/videos

    May 12, 2021 at 00:18 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. RV Plumbing Orange County

    Hello there! This blog post could not be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I am going to send this post to him. Fairly certain he's going to have a great read. Thank you for sharing!

    http://toushi-gamble-ranking.com/redirect/blog/190/?u=http://instagram.com/ocrvcenter

    May 12, 2021 at 00:31 | Report abuse | Reply
  50. RV Renovation Riverside

    An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. There's no doubt that that you should write more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but usually folks don't discuss such subjects. To the next! Cheers!!

    https://b2fair.com/ictspring2018/Culture/SetPreferredEventLanguage?EventId=167&culture=en-GB&returnUrl=http3A2F2Fyoutube.com/channel/UCGb9aC76nAmfzNsCru2KBHA/videos  

    May 12, 2021 at 01:22 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Post a comment


  

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.
Next entry »
« Previous entry
Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.