Elderly hip fractures should ideally be operated within 24–48 hours. Depending on the fracture type, treatment is either internal fixation with a nail/screws, hemiarthroplasty, or total hip replacement.
Why early surgery matters
Each day of delay increases pneumonia, bedsore, blood clot and mortality risk. Modern protocols target surgery within 24–48 hours.
Choice of procedure
Inter-trochanteric fractures: closed nailing with a PFN.
Displaced femoral neck fractures: bipolar hemiarthroplasty in low-demand elderly patients, total hip replacement in active seniors.
Recovery
Walking with support starts day 1 post-op. Discharge in 3–5 days.
Most patients return to pre-fracture mobility by 8–12 weeks with structured rehab.