ORIF of Hip Fracture
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.
ORIF is surgery to fix a broken bone in your hip. A hip fracture is a break in the top of the femur or in the hip socket. The femur is the long bone in your thigh that attaches to your pelvis at the hip joint. Open reduction means the broken parts will be moved back into the right position. Internal fixation means the broken parts will be held together with hardware, such as screws or plates. You may also need an implant to replace your hip socket. ORIF of a hip fracture is also called percutaneous hip pinning.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You have chest pain when you take a deep breath or cough.
- You suddenly feel lightheaded and short of breath.
- You cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- Your leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- You fall.
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- Your wound becomes swollen, red, or has pus coming out of it.
- Your incision comes apart.
Call your doctor or surgeon if:
- You have a fever of 100.5°F (38.1°C).
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT):
DVT is a condition that causes blood clots to form inside your blood vessels. This can happen after a major bone surgery. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about DVT. Your provider may have you wear pressure stockings to help blood flow and prevent clots. He or she will give you a prescription for the right stockings for you. Do not buy over-the-counter pressure stockings unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. The stockings may not fit correctly or may have elastic that can cut off your circulation. You will be told how long to wear these stockings.
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Wound care:
- Change the bandage as often as directed and when it gets wet or dirty. Check the surgery site for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus.
- Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on when you can bathe. Gently wash the part of your body that has the stitches. Do not rub on the stitches to dry your skin. Pat the area gently with a towel. When the area is dry, put on a clean, new bandage as directed.
Self-care:
- Rest as needed. Be careful and go slowly until you have healed. Stop if you have pain with activities. Try to avoid activities that increase your pain.
- Apply heat as directed. Heat increases blood flow and helps healing. Heat can also help decrease pain. You can apply heat with an electric heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm compress. Heat should be put applied for about 15 to 20 minutes up to 4 times a day and as directed. Always put a cloth between your skin and the heat pack to prevent burns.
- Apply ice as directed. Ice helps decrease swelling and pain. Apply ice for 10 to 15 minutes on your hip up to 4 times a day and as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel before you place it on your skin.
- Have more calcium and vitamin D, as directed. Calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones and can help prevent another fracture. Your healthcare provider may tell you to eat more dairy products, such as milk and cheese, for calcium. Spinach, salmon, and dried beans are also good sources of calcium. Cereal, bread, and orange juice may be fortified with vitamin D. You also get vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. Your healthcare provider may also suggest a calcium or vitamin D supplement. Do not take supplements unless directed. Eat high-protein foods to help your surgical wound heal, such as chicken, beef, fish, and pork. Also eat fruits and vegetables.
Go to physical therapy as directed:
A physical therapist will teach you exercises to help improve movement and strength of your hip. The therapist may suggest exercising in a pool. The exercises will also help to decrease pain.
Prevent falls:
Fall prevention is an important part of hip fracture recovery. The following may also help prevent another hip fracture:
- Get regular exercise. Exercise will improve your balance, range of motion, and strength. Ask about the best exercise plan for you.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take. Some medicines can cause dizziness or drowsiness and increase your risk for falls.
- Use walking devices , such as canes or walkers, if you have trouble keeping your balance.
- Make your home safe:
- Improve the lighting in your home so that you can see well.
- Add grab bars to the inside and outside of your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
- Add railings to both sides of your stairways.
- Remove throw rugs and other objects that can cause you to trip and fall.
Follow up with your doctor or surgeon as directed:
You may need to return to have your wound checked and staples or stitches removed. You may need more tests or treatment. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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