You will be seen by a combination of team members during your stay. The aim of the therapy team is to assist in your rehabilitation and plan your discharge out of hospital. The therapy team will get you up on the day after your surgery.
How will I be kept informed of my progress?
The team looking after you will keep you updated with information on your progress and on the plans for your discharge. With your permission, they’ll also be happy to discuss this with your family or friends, especially anyone who plans to assist you once you’re back at home.
Important
It’s essential for ward staff to understand your home circumstances. This will help in planning your rehabilitation and avoid delays when you’re ready to leave hospital.
What will happen to me before my operation?
Before your operation, you will be admitted to the ward. The ward nurses will assess your risk of falls, your nutritional requirements and risk of developing pressure ulcers while in hospital.
You will also meet your surgical team. The surgical team will review you on the ward and they will discuss the options to treat your broken hip. They can also discuss this with your relatives or friends if you wish. They will decide if you require surgery. This usually occurs on the day of admission or the following day. They will go through a consent form with you and ask you to sign it to say you're happy for surgery to go ahead.
The medical team will review your medical problems and any medications you take. They might make changes to your medications if needed.
Painkillers
A broken hip can be painful, so you will be prescribed regular painkillers. These will be given to you regularly but if you continue to be in pain, please ask the ward nurses for further painkillers. As painkillers can cause constipation, the team may also prescribe laxatives to help with this.
Intravenous fluids
We will give you fluids through a cannula, which is a thin tube inserted into a vein. This will start before your operation as you will not be able to eat and drink for several hours before surgery.
Blood clot prevention
After a broken hip you will not be able to get out of bed until it is fixed, which increases your chances of developing a blood clot in your leg. To reduce the chances of this occurring, we give you an elastic stocking to wear on your good leg. We will also give you an injection to thin your blood, once a day for up to six weeks following your operation.
Catheter
If you find it difficult or uncomfortable to use a bedpan, the ward nurses will insert a small tube (catheter) into your bladder to drain your urine. In some cases you may be discharged home with this. This can be removed at an outpatient clinic after you return home.
Blood tests
You may require further blood tests before surgery. You will also need further routine blood tests following your operation.
Last reviewed: 02 March 2023