Recovering from a hip fracture is a big journey, and it’s one that too many seniors have to undertake. Very often seniors who are healing from a hip fracture get relief from physical therapy because of the different tools that allow them to regain strength, mobility, and independence. Physical therapists tailor their care plans to ensure each patient gets the support they need in order to heal and recover as thoroughly as possible.
Understanding Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are incredibly common for seniors, especially after a fall. They can also occur because of weakened bones due to osteoporosis. These fractures affect mobility, making it difficult for seniors to get around and do the things they’re used to doing. Hip fractures can be painful and range from small fractures that require minor assistance to heal all the way to major fractures that require surgical intervention.
What Can Physical Therapy Do?
Physical therapy offers a range of different solutions for seniors recovering from a hip fracture. Manual therapy, hot/cold therapy, and specific exercises can help with pain relief, for instance. Exercises that improve range of motion and flexibility are crucial during recovery because they allow seniors to rebuild what they’ve lost.
Other exercises can help to strengthen the muscles around the hip and improve balance while moving. All of this helps to promote independence, allowing seniors to get back to their daily activities safely and independently.
Tailored Rehab Programs
It’s important to remember that while hip fractures are common, not everyone recovers from this type of injury the same way. There are a variety of factors at play, and physical therapists work with their patients to develop a customized plan for recovery. Therapists assess their patient’s needs and then suggest a plan for moving forward.
Monitored Exercise Programs
Often these plans involve recommended exercises for seniors to do, both with their physical therapists and at home on their own. Therapists pay attention to how their patients are moving and help them to correct those movements to get the best results. Doing exercises improperly can cause more harm than expected.
Managing Pain
One of the things that can surprise seniors recovering from a hip fracture is that physical therapy isn’t just about moving and exercising. It’s also about helping patients to heal while feeling less pain overall. Techniques like TENS units, massage, hot/cold therapy, and so much more work, along with specific exercises and movements, help patients feel less pain while they recover.
Regaining Functional Skills
What’s most important after pain relief is helping seniors to regain functionality in their daily lives. A hip fracture often means that it’s difficult now for seniors to get in and out of bed, climb stairs, or do other things they love to do. Physical therapy works with seniors to determine what they aren’t able to do in their lives because of this injury and helps them regain that functionality.
Preventing Future Injuries
It’s also important that seniors do what they can to reduce the risk of future injuries. Physical therapists help seniors learn exercises that help them maintain the strength and balance they’ve regained. Patients also learn more about fall prevention, including home modifications and using assistive devices to avoid a fall.
Physical therapy has a lot of different solutions to offer patients who are recovering from a hip fracture. Seniors can achieve their recovery goals, stay independent, and regain the quality of life that their injury diminished.
If you or someone you know needs Physical Therapy in Rochester, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 525-7742 for more information.