If you suffer any type of hip injury, you’ll want to visit a medical professional for a diagnosis. Through the use of an X-ray, among other types of tests, your doctor can give you a clear idea of what’s going on.
A hip fracture is a serious injury. Not only does it cause pain and discomfort, but it can also take you off your feet for quite some time.
Generally speaking, any type of hip fracture, regardless of the severity, requires surgery and rehabilitation. The type of surgery is based on several factors, including: location of the injury, severity, your age and any other health conditions. There are three primary types of procedure:
- Total hip replacement
- Partial hip replacement
- Internal repair, with screws used to hold your hip together
It’s important to follow the lead of your medical team, as getting the right treatment up front can help you avoid additional complications in the future.
Rehabilitation comes next
Once your surgery is in the past, it’s time to turn your attention to rehabilitation. It’s not easy, but your care team will ask that you use your hip on the day after your surgery. Waiting around to get started with rehabilitation will only make things more difficult on you.
The right plan allows you to focus on strengthening your hip and increasing range of motion, all with the idea of getting you back to normal as quickly as possible.
Depending on your situation, such as the extent of your surgery and the help you have at home, you may need to spend some time in an extended care facility. This may sound like a bad thing at first, but you’ll come to realize that it helps with the recovery process.
If you injured your hip on the job, you’ll want to communicate your situation to your employer. In addition to information on what went wrong, fill them in on your prognosis and recovery. The more details you provide, the easier your time away from work will be on everyone.
A hip fracture is sure to keep you away from work, so don’t hesitate to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. If you qualify, you can use the money you receive to help you financially until you can return to work.
