What should you know about pinning a broken hip?

A hip fracture can occur in different parts of the upper thigh bone, and the fracture location, bone quality, alignment, and general health influence the operation chosen. During hip fracture surgery, the surgeon may place screws, pins, or a plate to stabilise suitable fracture pieces. Some injuries need a different reconstruction rather than pinning. The aim is to restore a stable hip that can be loaded according to the surgical plan.

After surgery, pain control, wound care, blood-clot prevention, and safe movement are considered together. Weight-bearing instructions can differ, so do not copy another person’s walking plan.

Use the walking aid and weight-bearing level prescribed by the team. Keep the wound clean and follow instructions about bathing, medicines, and follow-up. Post-Operative Rehabilitation may include transfers, strengthening, balance work, and stair practice, progressing as healing allows. A review of falls, nutrition, bone health, and medicines may help reduce future fracture risk; Bisphosphonate Therapy is one treatment a clinician may discuss when appropriate.

Seek urgent medical help for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, or a new painful swollen calf. Contact the surgical team promptly for fever, increasing wound redness or drainage, worsening pain, a new leg-length or rotation change, or inability to bear the permitted weight. A new fall also needs assessment even if the wound looks unchanged.

Ask which part of the hip is fractured, why pinning is suitable, and what other operations were considered. Clarify weight-bearing limits, wound warning signs, follow-up imaging, driving and home-safety advice, and when rehabilitation goals should be reviewed.