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My dear one will need surgery, and the doctor says they'll be non-weight bearing. I am hoping to get them into an acute rehab because I feel they would get more therapy for limbs and core. Has anyone known another 90-something year old who recovered from non-weight-bearing hip repair (not replacement) surgery? My loved one has minimal medical issues, uses a walker, and is on some low-dose meds. They are full of life and love. I hate that this happened to them and would appreciate your prayers and advice!

Quite often one of the effects of anesthesia is a decline in mental cognition.
This can be permanent or not. But it can last weeks or months if there is going to be an improvement. So keep this in mind and be aware of it.
Now to the rehab.
If there are no residual effects from the anesthesia and your LO is active and able to do well in rehab there should be no problem.
BUT
If there are residual effects from the anesthesia your LO may not be able to fully participate in rehab and may not progress as much or as well as Medicare/Medicaid require. If that is the case they may not be able to remain in rehab for a long duration.
If that does happen are you able to care for this person at home?

One of the other factors will be is fear.
I am guessing that the fracture was a result of a fall. (Or in many cases it is actually a fracture and fall, not the other way around)
If there was a fall there is a good possibility that your LO may fear falling and getting hurt again. So make things as safe as possible.
Solid, non slip shoes.
At home remove all throw rugs.
Make sure there are no extension cords in the way.
All items picked up off the floor.
Nothing left on the stairs if you have stairs.
Sturdy hand rail with the top and bottom of the hand rail closed or turned to the wall so a sleeve does not get caught.
Make sure the walker that is used is fitted properly, is the right height.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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Hopefully your loved one will do well with their surgery and not suffer any of the side effects of the anesthesia.
My only recommendation would be to make sure that either you or another family member attends your loved ones therapy sessions as it's been my experience that those in therapy that don't have anyone there with them are often ignored and just left to sit in their wheelchairs. Sad but true.
I saw this many years ago when my now late husband had his massive stroke. I made sure that I was at all of his PT, OT and speech therapies and I witnessed first hand those elderly folks who were just left to sit the entire hour while not getting any PT.
So be there for your loved one to be their cheerleader, so they can make a full recovery. And if not a full one, that they can at least make the very best of their new "normal."
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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One of my friend's Mom was 92 and she fell in her driveway and broke her hip. She had surgery, did some rehab and was able to come home. She lived by herself, but she had Aides come in to help. She did quite well, from what my friend told me.

However, 2 years later at age 94, she fell again - broke her other hip and arm, and unfortunately was not able to recover and passed away a few weeks ago in Rehab.
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Reply to QuiltedBear
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chestershaba Jun 23, 2025
Yup my dr says if u break hip at 65+ 50% chance of dying. I thought he was joking.
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My father was 90 when he fell and broke his hip. He had it repaired with pins and screws, but general anesthesia was used for the surgery. He did have hospital delirium afterward and went to rehab after being released from the hospital. He made very little to no progress walking in rehab, but a brain tumor was also discovered during routine testing after the fall. Idk why he never was able to walk again, and he passed 10 months later in Assisted Living at 91 where he lived with mom. He was unable to go back to Independent Senior Living after the hip repair.

I'm sorry to report bad news, but it's often the case after a broken hip with elders this age. I hope and pray your loved one is able to walk again with PT in rehab, and makes a full recovery. Stay on top of whats happening with him in rehab so you're not blindsided in any way.

Best of luck to you.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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I'm not sure about the weight bearing issue, but a friend of mine Mom broke her hip, middle 90s, honestly I had a more realistic view on what was going to happen, but she showed us all!! She, did really amazing, lives in a nice AL now, and doing terrific. I don't think this is a usual case , but it can happen.
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Reply to Drivingdaisy
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Yes my mother recovered at age 90 from a hip replacement surgery (it was not broken, just had worn out joint from arthritis and causing her pain all the time to walk) and then had much less pain walking. She recovered in a rehab center for about two weeks, got PT right away there, and then was home with more PT and some caretaker helpers during the day. She recovered pretty fast and was like your loved one, no dementia so could understand the process, was not taking too many meds, and she only took Tylenol for the pain. But everyone is different and there is some risk of course but in her case it was worth it.
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Reply to ConstanceS
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I had a similar hip repair a few years ago. I was in my 70's, not 90, but health and physical condition are more relevant than age alone.
I was non weight-bearing until the doctor approved 50% weight, then 50% weight was allowed until doctor approved full weight. I stayed at Acute Rehab for 30 days and received PT, OT, and CT (Cognitive Therapy--that was a new one to me). After 30 days I was sent home with PT coming to the house until I was allowed to drive myself to a PT facility.
If your LO is in generally good health and will participate in prescribed therapies, he or she is likely to do well.
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Reply to RedVanAnnie
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It really isn't an option NOT to repair a fractured hip; there would be too much pain and the medications required for relief would be quickly deadly. I know the doctors will inform you of the dangers of anesthesia at this age, of hospital induced psychosis, of inability to heal, of the deficits of bone, brain, ligament, tendons, muscles.

So you know what you are facing. Do know also that we have seen people in their 90s have surgery and recover in rehab. You have no guarantees here and doctors will explain all that to you; but you also have really no options.

Good luck and DO update us.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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ElizabethAR37 Jun 22, 2025
Hmmm. . .at this point, if that happened to me, I might just opt for "quickly deadly" if given a choice! Ha.
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An elderly friend of mine was in this situation and made a good recovery and returned to full mobility, although nothing slowed down the aging process!
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Reply to Elainera
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Anesthesia complications are an issue others have noted, so ask the doctor if they can use an epidural and a sedative instead of a general anesthesia. (That is what I was given for hip replacement last year).
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