Surgeons perform hip open reduction internal fixation, or Orif, to pin a fractured hip. Rest immediately after this surgery and follow the rehabilitation advice of your doctor. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website notes that gentle exercises as part of your recovery program will help avoid blood clots and restore your hip to a full range of motion and strength.
Ankle Stretches
Perform this subtle exercise early on in your rehabilitation program to improve blood flow to the injured area and enhance recovery. Lie or sit down with your legs straight out in front of you and gently point your toes, then flex them up towards the ceiling. Do this exercise for a couple of minutes, several times a day.
Knee Strengthening
By strengthening the muscles of your legs, you can increase support for your hip. Lie or sit with your legs straight out in front of you. Slowly tense one leg, imagining that you are gently pushing the back of your knee into the bed. Hold for a couple of seconds then relax and repeat five times on each leg.
Range of Motion
Doing regular exercises after hip surgery can help to restore the joint's flexibility and range of movement. Once you have recovered enough to stand up, hold on to the back of a chair and carefully shift your weight to the uninjured leg. Slowly raise the other leg out to the side, at about a 45-degree angle. Repeat up to 10 times, several times throughout the day. Keep your knees and toes pointing forward to avoid any strain on the hips and stop immediately if you feel any pain. You can add to this exercise by slowly moving the injured leg back behind you to a 45-degree angle then returning to the start position. Be careful not to swing the leg--you should be using your buttock and thigh muscles to keep the movement slow and controlled.
Hip Strength
This exercise will help restore strength in your injured hip, as it requires you to use these muscles, as well as those in your thighs. Start in the same position as for the Range of Motion exercise and slowly bend your injured leg and raise the knee up in front of you. Hold firmly on to the chair as you do so--you will need to round your back slightly to make room for your knee between you and the chair. Only raise the knee as high as is comfortable; the Your Orthopaedic Connection website advises going no higher than your waist. Hold in the elevated position for about three seconds before slowly lowering the leg back down to the ground. Aim to do one set of 10 repetitions, two or three times throughout the day.
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