Rehabilitation of the patient with a fractured hip

Fracture of the hip is a common traumatic event in the elderly. Surgical repair is the treatment of choice for most patients, but represents only the first phase in the total rehabilitation of the patient. A comprehensive team approach, involving the patient, the family, the physician, nursing personnel and rehabilitation staff, is mandatory if the elderly person is to achieve maximal recovery and hopefully return to his normal lifestyle. Lack of a team approach leads to ineffectual therapy, with the likelihood that the patient will become unnecessarily institutionalized. However, some patients will be very poor candidates for rehabilitation if already at a non-ambulatory, heavy care level, with a variety of complicated medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes and obstructive lung disease. Realistic, individual goals must be set.