Hip Fracture Treatment in NJ
Clifton Physical Therapy
A hip fracture can change your life in an instant, making simple movements like standing, walking, or climbing stairs painful and difficult. While surgery is often necessary to repair the fracture, recovery does not end in the operating room. The quality of rehabilitation plays a major role in how well you regain strength, mobility, and independence. At Clifton Physical Therapy, our goal is to help patients throughout New Jersey recover safely, reduce complications, and return to their daily activities with confidence.
What Is a Hip Fracture?
A hip fracture is a break in the upper portion of the femur (thigh bone), close to the hip joint. It is one of the most serious orthopedic injuries because it significantly affects mobility and can lead to long-term health complications if not treated promptly.
Although hip fractures can occur at any age, they are much more common in adults over 65 due to age-related bone loss and osteoporosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, making hip fractures a major public health concern. Younger adults can also suffer hip fractures following high-impact events such as:
Motor vehicle accidents
Sports injuries
Falls from significant heights
Workplace accidents
Severe trauma
What Types of Hip Fractures Are Most Common?
Not every hip fracture is the same. The exact location of the break determines the type of surgery, rehabilitation timeline, and recovery expectations.
Femoral Neck Fracture
This is the most common type of hip fracture. It occurs just below the ball of the hip joint in the narrow section called the femoral neck.
Because this area has a limited blood supply, healing can be more complicated. Some patients require hip replacement surgery instead of fracture fixation.
Intertrochanteric Fracture
This fracture occurs between two bony prominences on the upper femur called the greater and lesser trochanters.
Unlike femoral neck fractures, blood flow is generally better, allowing the bone to heal more predictably after surgical stabilization with plates, screws, or rods.
These fractures involve the rounded ball of the hip joint and are relatively uncommon. They usually result from high-energy trauma such as motor vehicle collisions and may occur alongside hip dislocations.
Subtrochanteric Fracture
This fracture develops just below the lesser trochanter. Because strong muscles pull on this portion of the femur, these fractures can be more difficult to stabilize and often require specialized surgical fixation. Healthcare providers may also describe fractures based on the fracture pattern, including:
Stable fractures
Displaced fractures
Comminuted fractures (bone broken into multiple pieces)
Spiral fractures
Oblique fractures
Transverse fractures
What Are the Symptoms of a Hip Fracture?
A hip fracture usually causes immediate and severe symptoms that make standing or walking nearly impossible. While some stress fractures may begin with milder discomfort, most traumatic fractures require emergency medical care. Common symptoms include:
Severe pain in the hip, groin, or upper thigh
Inability to stand or bear weight on the affected leg
Difficulty walking after a fall
Bruising or discoloration
Stiffness and limited range of motion
One leg appearing shorter than the other
The injured leg turning outward
Tenderness around the hip joint
What Causes Hip Fractures?
Hip fractures occur when the force placed on the bone exceeds its ability to withstand stress. In younger adults, this usually requires significant trauma. In older adults, even a simple fall from standing height may be enough if the bones have become weakened. The most common causes include:
Falls
Falls account for the majority of hip fractures in older adults. Reduced balance, muscle weakness, poor vision, medication side effects, and slippery surfaces all increase the likelihood of falling.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis gradually reduces bone density, making bones fragile and more likely to break. Many people are unaware they have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
High-speed collisions can generate enough force to fracture the hip, particularly in younger adults.
Sports and Recreational Injuries
Contact sports, skiing, cycling accidents, and other high-impact activities can result in hip fractures following direct trauma.
Stress Fractures
Repeated impact over time can create small cracks in the upper femur. These are more common in runners, military personnel, and athletes who rapidly increase training intensity.
Other Risk Factors
Several medical conditions increase the likelihood of sustaining a hip fracture, including:
Osteopenia
Parkinson's disease
Balance disorders
Previous falls
Muscle weakness
Vitamin D deficiency
Poor vision
Certain medications that increase fall risk
Advanced age
Female sex, due to higher rates of osteoporosis after menopause
How Is a Hip Fracture Diagnosed?
A hip fracture requires immediate medical evaluation. Delaying treatment can increase the risk of complications such as blood clots, muscle weakness, pneumonia, and loss of independence, particularly in older adults.
Your healthcare provider will begin by reviewing how the injury happened, your symptoms, and your medical history. During the physical examination, they will assess your ability to move the hip, look for swelling or deformity, and check whether the injured leg appears shorter or rotated outward. To confirm the diagnosis, imaging tests are usually required.
X-rays
A hip X-ray is the first imaging test performed in most cases. It clearly shows the location and severity of most fractures and helps determine the most appropriate treatment.
MRI
If your symptoms strongly suggest a fracture but the X-ray appears normal, an MRI can identify small or stress fractures that may not be visible on standard imaging.
CT Scan
A CT scan provides detailed cross-sectional images of the hip and surrounding bones. It is often used for complex fractures or to help surgeons plan the repair.
How Are Hip Fractures Treated?
Treatment depends on several factors, including the type of fracture, your age, activity level, overall health, and bone quality. Most hip fractures require surgery within 24 to 48 hours whenever medically possible, as early surgery is associated with fewer complications and better recovery outcomes. After surgery, rehabilitation begins as soon as it is safe to do so.
Surgical Treatment
Common surgical procedures include:
Internal Fixation
Metal screws, plates, or rods are used to stabilize the broken bone while it heals naturally. This approach is often used for stable fractures and younger patients.
Partial Hip Replacement
If the femoral neck is severely damaged, the surgeon may replace the broken femoral head while preserving the natural hip socket.
Total Hip Replacement
For some displaced fractures or patients with existing arthritis, replacing both the ball and socket provides better long-term function and pain relief.
Why Is Physical Therapy Essential After a Hip Fracture?
Surgery repairs the bone, but physical therapy restores your ability to move. Without rehabilitation, many patients struggle with weakness, stiffness, poor balance, and difficulty performing everyday activities.
Research consistently shows that structured rehabilitation improves walking ability, reduces disability, and lowers the risk of future falls.
Physical therapy focuses on rebuilding strength while helping you regain confidence in movement.
Our rehabilitation programs are individualized based on your surgical procedure, current mobility, pain level, and personal goals.
What Does Hip Fracture Rehabilitation Include?
Recovery occurs gradually. Every phase builds on the previous one to help you safely return to normal activities.
Early Recovery Phase
During the first days after surgery, therapy focuses on protecting the repair while preventing complications caused by prolonged bed rest.
Treatment may include:
Gentle range-of-motion exercises
Bed mobility training
Safe transfers from bed to chair
Walking with a walker or crutches
Breathing exercises
Circulation exercises to reduce blood clot risk
Strengthening Phase
As healing progresses, the focus shifts toward rebuilding muscle strength around the hip and lower extremity. Exercises commonly target:
Hip muscles
Gluteal muscles
Quadriceps
Hamstrings
Core muscles
Improving muscle strength helps stabilize the hip joint, improves walking mechanics, and decreases the chance of another fall.
Mobility and Flexibility Training
Hip fractures often leave patients with stiffness that limits normal movement. Physical therapy includes stretching and mobility exercises designed to improve:
Hip flexion
Hip extension
Hip abduction
Rotation
Overall joint flexibility
Restoring movement makes daily activities such as getting into a car, climbing stairs, and dressing much easier.
Gait Training
Many patients develop limping or abnormal walking patterns after surgery. Your therapist will help you:
Walk with proper posture
Progress from a walker to a cane when appropriate
Improve stride length
Increase walking endurance
Walk safely on different surfaces
Practice stair climbing
Correct gait mechanics reduce unnecessary stress on the healing hip and lower the risk of future injuries.
Balance and Fall Prevention
One of the biggest goals after a hip fracture is preventing another fall. Your rehabilitation program may include:
Balance exercises
Single-leg stability training
Functional reaching activities
Step training
Coordination drills
Home safety education
Pain Management During Recovery
Pain is expected after surgery, but it should steadily improve throughout rehabilitation. Your physical therapist may use evidence-based techniques such as:
Therapeutic exercise
Gentle manual therapy
Ice therapy
Heat therapy (when appropriate)
Soft tissue mobilization
Activity modification
What Exercises Help After a Hip Fracture?
Your therapist will prescribe exercises based on your stage of recovery. Early exercises are simple but highly effective for restoring circulation and muscle activation. Examples include:
Glute squeezes
Quad sets
Heel slides
Hip abduction slides
Ankle pumps
Seated knee extensions
Standing hip strengthening
Sit-to-stand practice
Mini squats (when appropriate)
Step-up exercises
How Long Does Hip Fracture Recovery Take?
Recovery varies depending on your age, overall health, fracture type, and commitment to rehabilitation. Although everyone heals differently, many patients follow this general timeline:
First 2 weeks: Pain management, walking with assistance, gentle exercises
Weeks 3-6: Improved mobility, increased strength, greater independence
Weeks 6-12: Progression toward normal walking and daily activities
3-6 months: Continued strengthening and functional improvements
6-12 months: Ongoing recovery, with many patients reaching their maximum improvement
Some older adults may require additional rehabilitation to regain their previous level of independence.
Can Hip Fractures Be Prevented?
While not every fracture can be prevented, many can be avoided by reducing fall risk and maintaining healthy bones. Helpful prevention strategies include:
Staying physically active
Performing balance and strength exercises
Treating osteoporosis
Getting enough calcium and vitamin D
Wearing supportive footwear
Improving lighting throughout the home
Removing loose rugs and tripping hazards
Scheduling regular vision examinations
Reviewing medications that may affect balance
If you or a loved one is recovering from a hip fracture, Clifton Physical Therapy is here to help. Our team provides one-on-one rehabilitation tailored to your needs, helping you move better, recover safely, and regain confidence every step of the way.
Call (973) 241-1338 today to schedule your evaluation and begin your recovery.
What patients are saying
"I recently had ankle surgery and Clifton PT has been nothing short of amazing! My goal was to get back to playing soccer as quick as possible before the college season started and so far I'm right on track. Izzy, Bianca, Tiff, and John have gone above and beyond to make sure I'm back to 100%. Couldn't be more grateful to be treated by the best team ever!." - Nat Rufino
All the therapists at Clifton Physical Therapy are awesome, but I spend most of my time with Izzy and Bianca—and they’ve been amazing. They’re enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and always take the time to explain what I’m doing and what my issues are. Their positive energy and clear communication make a big difference in my recovery." - Bryan Tompkins
"Going Clifton physical therapy was one of the best thing that came out of my back pain! Every single staff member is amazing and cares for your recovery! I have been with them for the past couple of months and now continuing their workout program! I can’t recommend them enough! Tiffany, Izzy, Bianca and everyone else I have worked with there! Can’t rave about them enough!!." - Monica Mehta
"Clifton Physical Therapy has been a great place for me to heal my meniscus tear. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, and has been extremely helpful in guiding me through my recovery. I highly recommend their services.." - Kelly Bevando
Clifton Physical Therapy
✆ Phone (appointments): (973)-241-1338
Address: 1059 Bloomfield Ave, Clifton, NJ 07012
