Full Recovery From Hip Fracture Can Take a Couple of Years

A return to full functionality after hip fracture can take two to three years, according to a new study.

In the article, “The Pronounced Impact of Hip Fractures on Psychosocial Well-being,” published in the January 2021 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, hip fracture patients reported a significant decrease in driving frequency and mobility in the first year after fracture.

The researchers also looked at the long-term psychosocial limitations of patients compared to peer groups and found in that first year after surgery, depressive symptoms tended to increase while participation in activities declined. A larger social network, however, helped improve outcomes.

The findings are based on data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study on patients aged 65 and older who sustained one hip fracture between 2011 and 2016 and who were still regularly driving and leaving the house regularly at the time of the fracture.

“We wanted to take a closer look at outcomes including mobility, driving frequency, depression and the ability to participate in activities outside the home, such as shopping, working and volunteering, because these are all important factors in maintaining ones’ independence and returning to normalcy following a hip fracture,” said Timothy Bhattacharyya, M.D., FAAOS, orthopedic surgeon and head of clinical orthopedic research at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland.

Overall compared to a control group, hip fracture patients one year after the injury were less likely to drive (76% of hip fracture patients vs. 95% of control group), less likely to leave the house (86% vs. 99%), less likely to work and volunteer (17% vs. 44%) and more likely to feel depressed on most days (20% vs. 10%).

Hip fracture patients were also more likely to report being kept from their favorite activity due to their health for up to two years after fracture. By two to three years post fracture, however, patients’ functionality significantly improved.

Dr. Bhattacharyya emphasized the importance of social support for these patients. In the study, patients with large social networks were more likely to work or volunteer compared to those with small social networks (30% vs. 12%). Patients with large social networks also had fewer comorbidities, the researchers found.

“There’s a natural tendency to not want to share your burden with others, however, you really have to do the opposite to avoid isolation,” he said. “With a greater understanding of how socialization aids recovery, I now proactively encourage my patients to reach out to their friends and family to interact. Given the pandemic, patients can participate in activities with a few select people and prioritize online social interaction with larger groups.”