Ankle pumps
Pump the feet up and down to keep the blood moving.
- 20 times
- Every hour while awake
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Calf pain or swelling — tell us
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 74
After surgery on a broken hip: screws, plate or nail
Hip & knee · After surgery on a broken bone
Count the weeks from the day of your operation. The date is on your discharge card.
If your doctor wrote a different plan on your prescription, follow that instead of this page.
A4 PDF, 0.8 MB. Free to download — no sign-up, no email address needed.
Weeks 0–2
Get out of bed and walk from the day after the operation, with help. Short walks, often. Keep the ankles moving to protect against clots, and take every dose of the blood-thinning medicine we prescribe.
Weight bearing Full, as comfortable, with a walker, unless we have told you otherwise.
Quad sets
Sit with the leg straight. Press the back of the knee down and tighten the thigh.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh muscle tightening Should not feel: Knee pain
Buttock squeeze
Lie on your back with the legs straight. Squeeze the buttocks together, hold, then relax.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The buttocks tightening Should not feel: Back pain
Lying hip slide out
Lie on your back, legs straight, toes pointing up. Slide the leg out to the side and back, keeping the knee straight.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: The toes rolling outwards
Short-arc quads
Lie with a rolled towel under the knee. Lift the heel until the knee is straight, hold, then lower slowly. Take the towel away afterwards.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The front of the thigh working Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
Heel slides
Lie down and slide the heel up towards the buttock, bending the knee as far as you can.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
Not yet Squatting, sitting on the floor or using an Indian toilet — until we have told you it is safe.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 2–6
Stitches out. Walk a little further each day and stand up straight. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing Full. Move from the walker to a stick when you feel steady.
Standing hip abduction
Hold a chair. Lift the leg out to the side, keeping the body upright.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: Leaning over
Standing hip extension
Hold a chair. Take the leg backwards, keeping it straight.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The buttock working Should not feel: Arching the back
Sitting knee bend
Sit on a firm chair. Slide the foot back under the chair to bend the knee, hold, then bring it forward.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain
Sitting heel and toe raises
Sit with both feet flat on the floor. Lift the heels, lower them, then lift the toes.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The calf and the front of the shin working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Not yet Squatting, sitting on the floor or using an Indian toilet — until we have told you it is safe. Driving.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Walk without a limp and improve your balance, to prevent another fall. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing Full. Use the stick outdoors until you are steady without it.
Mini squat
Hold a support. Bend the knees a little way, then straighten.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thighs working Should not feel: Deep groin pain
Calf raises
Rise onto both toes and lower under control.
- 15 times
- Daily
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Single-leg balance
Stand on one leg beside a worktop. Balance prevents falls, and preventing falls prevents fractures.
- 30 seconds
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Working to stay steady Should not feel: Losing balance — hold on
Step-up
Hold a rail. Step up onto a low step with the operated leg, then step down with the other leg.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Not yet Heavy lifting. Squatting, sitting on the floor or using an Indian toilet — until we have told you it is safe.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Week 12 onwards
Back to your usual activities, as the X-ray shows. Keep doing the balance and strength exercises for good: they help prevent another fall.
Weight bearing Full.
Heel-to-toe walking
Walk heel to toe along a line, beside a support.
- 10 steps
- Daily
Should feel: Steadier walking Should not feel: Wobbling — use the wall
Static cycling
Set the seat high, so the knee is almost straight at the bottom. Pedal gently with little resistance.
- 10 minutes
- Daily
Should feel: The knee moving freely Should not feel: Pain in the knee or hip
Not yet Squatting, sitting on the floor or using an Indian toilet — until we have told you it is safe.
Protecting your bones after this fracture
- A hip that breaks after a simple fall usually means the bones have become thin (osteoporosis). Ask us about a bone check and treatment.
- Take the calcium, vitamin D and any bone medicine exactly as we prescribe.
- Make the home safe: good light at night, no loose mats or wires, a grab rail by the toilet, and a stool to sit on while bathing.
- Wear well-fitting footwear with a good grip, indoors as well.
- Tell us if you feel dizzy or unsteady, or take sleeping tablets: these make falls more likely.
Stop and telephone us if
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain — go to the nearest hospital
- Hip pain that keeps getting worse, or you suddenly cannot stand on the leg
- The leg looks shorter or turned outwards
- The calf becomes swollen, tight or painful
- Wound redness, discharge or fever
- A fall
- New confusion or drowsiness, or not passing urine
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.