As our population ages, the prevalence of hip fractures has also notably increased. Recent studies suggest that over 350,000 hip fractures occur in the United States every year. What causes a hip fracture, and just how prevalent are they? The first chapter in this introductory hip fracture course outlines the demographics and statistics of hip fractures in youth and geriatric populations. Participants will learn to describe the 5 complications of a hip fracture, and apply their knowledge to understand the predictors of survival following a hip fracture.

This chapter will focus on femoral neck fractures, a specific type of fracture characterized by a breakage in the femoral head. Participants will receive an overview of the Garden fracture classification system as it is used to determine fracture severity, and subsequently will be introduced to basic surgical options/rehabilitation approaches that are implemented for each Garden fracture.

In this chapter, physical therapist Sandy Sheldon informs participants of trochanteric hip fractures, a second classification of hip fracture characterized by a breakage between the greater and lesser trochanter of the proximal femur. Participants will learn to distinguish between intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures, as well as understand the surgical options and rehabilitation protocols that are best suited to fractures of this nature.

For additional information, please refer to these handouts.

The second installment in the hip fracture course series provides participants with an overview of the importance of optimizing the patient medically prior to surgery, as well as controlling post op complications to provide the best outcome. Participants will learn about the appropriate weight bearing status for this type of surgical approach, as well as the variables that may impede bone-healing time.

This chapter provides the foundation by which the severity of hip fractures can be understood. This segment of the course contrasts the different classifications of hip fractures and poses fixation options for each. With this knowledge, participants will learn the importance of proper fixation device selection and the complications that can result from incorrect device selection. Emphasis is placed on highlighting the significance of surgical management of the hip fracture patient, and how current technology maximizes patient function post op.

In this chapter, participants will discuss the role that physical therapy plays in educating patients about pain control, early mobility on the affected leg and safety when ambulating in acute care.

Sandy Sheldon leads through example, teaching participants how to prescribe exercise for this stage of recovery, and explaining how certain devices can help substitute for weakened hip muscles.

An evaluation is conducted by physical therapist Sandy Sheldon, with a particular emphasis on how patient discharge destination is determined as a function of a patient’s presenting function, and their past medical history.

This chapter will provide a firsthand glance at the relationship between an OT, and a hip fracture patient in a SNF setting. Participants will learn to determine prior level of function and current occupational therapy needs for a patient who is discharging from a SNF level of care, as well as how to create appropriate therapy goals based on the patient’s specific functional needs.

Learn how to determine prior level of function and current therapy needs for a patient who is discharging from a SNF level of care. This chapter will compare the roles of a PT and an OT in order to gauge differences in treatment strategies.

This chapter provides additional references regarding the evaluation and treatment of hip fracture patients in a SNF setting.

Join Dr. Carole Lewis and learn the fundamentals of completing an evaluation that assesses all-important functional tasks requiring static and dynamic balance. Lewis also touches base on how to create meaningful goals based on the patient’s home environment and needed level of function, as well as how to choose appropriate functional tools to assess the most meaningful variables related to a patient’s deficits and goals.

In this chapter, Dr. Carole Lewis reflects and evaluates the therapeutic strategies implemented by her patient in the home care setting. Participants will be given a firsthand glance at how patient’s are evaluated, how appropriate functional tools are allocated to improve patient deficits, as well as how thorough reflection may alter hip fracture patient interventions.

This chapter will allow participants to gain perspective as to how occupational therapy plays a role in the evaluation and treatment of hip fracture patients in the home care setting. Join OT Danielle Keyser as she describes the importance of completing a visual screen for patients in home care, and teaches the fundamentals to creating meaningful functional goals based on the patient’s home environment. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to list common adaptive equipment that can improve a patient’s independence and quality of life in the home environment.

This section describes the best practices for evaluating and treating patients following a hip fracture. Participants will learn to utilize appropriate functional tests in order to identify deficits, as well as assess impairments and apply appropriate interventions to resolve or improve those deficits.

Understanding current clinical research practices for hip fracture repair may be beneficial to improving treatment interventions and recovery of the patient. In this chapter, Dr. Mangione lists common therapy practices for rehabilitation strengthening approaches following a hip fracture according to the research described in the lecture. Additionally, she suggests alternate strategies for rehabilitation following hip fracture other than utilizing all insurance visits in immediate post surgical period.

This chapter provides additional resources regarding hip fracture assessment and rehabilitation in the home care setting.