Hip Fracture Surgery and the Road Back to Walking
What surgery is done for a broken hip?
Hip fracture surgery repairs a break in the upper thigh bone near the hip, typically within 24 to 48 hours of injury. Depending on the fracture, the bone is held with screws, a plate or a rod, or the broken ball is replaced with a partial or total hip replacement. Getting up and walking early is the goal.
A broken hip usually happens in an instant, often a fall at home, and it changes the week for the whole family. Nearly every hip fracture needs surgery, because the goal is to get you standing and walking again as quickly as possible. Dr. Stride chooses between fixing the bone and replacing the joint based on where the break is, your bone quality and how active you were before the fall.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Stride, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeonLast reviewed October 2026
At a glance
- Also called
- broken hip surgery, femoral neck fracture repair, intertrochanteric fracture fixation, hip pinning
- Typical recovery
- Months 3 to 12
- Category
- Fracture & Tendon Surgery
Is this right for you?
Usually a good fit if
- A femoral neck fracture, just below the ball
- An intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fracture a little lower on the thigh bone
- Older adults who fell and cannot bear weight
- Younger adults with a hip fracture after a high-energy injury
- Stress fractures of the femoral neck in runners that are at risk of displacing
Another option may be better if
- Certain small, stable stress fractures that can heal with protected weight bearing
- Rare cases where medical risk is too high for surgery, managed with comfort-focused care
What happens, step by step
Emergency evaluation
A hip fracture is treated in a hospital. X-rays and sometimes a CT or MRI confirm the type of break. Medical teams check heart, lungs, blood thinners and kidney function so surgery can happen safely and soon, ideally within 24 to 48 hours.
Fixing or replacing
Breaks below the neck are usually held with a rod inside the bone or a plate and screw. Femoral neck fractures in younger patients are often pinned with screws. In older adults, a displaced femoral neck fracture is often treated with a partial or total hip replacement.
Standing the next day
Most patients are allowed to put weight on the leg right away. Physical therapy starts within a day of surgery.
Planning the next stop
Many patients go to a rehab facility before home. Our team works with families on the discharge plan, bone health and fall prevention.
Typical recovery timeline
Walking with a walker in the hospital, blood clot prevention and pain control that keeps you moving without heavy sedation.
Rehab facility or home therapy focused on transfers, walking and stairs. Many patients use a walker throughout this stage.
Moving to a cane, building leg strength and balance, and returning to daily tasks.
Continued gains in walking distance and confidence. A bone density test and osteoporosis treatment help protect against another fracture.
Timelines are typical ranges. Your plan depends on your hip, your health and what was done in surgery.
“With a broken hip, time matters. The sooner we get you fixed and standing, the better your chances of getting back home and back to your routine. I also want to know why you fell and how strong your bones are, because preventing the next fracture matters as much as fixing this one.”
Dr. Stride, MD
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of a broken hip?
Signs of a broken hip include severe groin or hip pain after a fall, inability to stand or put weight on the leg, and a leg that looks shorter or turned outward. Call 911 rather than trying to move the person yourself.
How long is recovery from hip fracture surgery?
Most people walk with a walker within a day or two of surgery and use a walker or cane for several weeks. Recovery of strength and walking ability often continues for 6 to 12 months.
Why is surgery done so quickly after a hip fracture?
Early surgery, typically within 24 to 48 hours, lets patients get out of bed sooner, which lowers the risk of pneumonia, blood clots, pressure sores and confusion. Delays are usually only to make sure medical conditions are safe for surgery.
Can a hip fracture be prevented?
Many hip fractures can be prevented with treatment for osteoporosis, strength and balance training, a review of medicines that cause dizziness, and home safety changes like good lighting and removing loose rugs.
Related treatments
Total Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement replaces the worn ball and socket of an arthritic hip with a metal, ceramic and medical-grade plastic implant.
Read more →Non-surgicalHip Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps many types of hip pain, including arthritis, gluteal tendinopathy, hip impingement and many labral tears.
Read more →Non-surgicalHip Activity & Weight Plan
An activity and weight plan can meaningfully reduce hip pain, especially from arthritis.
Read more →DiagnosisHip X-ray & MRI
Hip X-rays and MRI answer different questions.
Read more →Questions patients ask about this
Hip Pain After a Fall but No Bruise: Could It Still Be Broken?
Yes, a hip can be broken even without a bruise.
How to Tell if Your Hip Pain Is Serious
Hip pain is serious if you cannot put weight on the leg, the leg looks shortened or turned out after a fall, the joint is hot and swollen with fever, or the pain is sudden and severe.
Should I Go to the ER for Hip Pain?
Go to the ER for hip pain after a fall if you cannot stand or the leg looks shortened or turned out, if a replaced hip suddenly pops out, if a hot swollen hip comes with fever, or if back pain comes with groin numbness or bladder changes.
SourcesReferences used for this page3
Medically reviewed by Dr. Stride, MD against current guidance from these sources. Last reviewed October 2026. How we write and review content
- Hip Fractures (opens in a new tab) AAOS OrthoInfo
- Hip fracture surgery (opens in a new tab) MedlinePlus
- Hip fracture - discharge (opens in a new tab) MedlinePlus