Mighty Nimble
Mighty Nimble
Download App

Intermediate Hip Fracture Recovery

A low-impact strength + mobility routine to support hip fracture recovery (about 25 minutes).

Warm-Up

Gentle activation. Improve circulation and wake up hip/leg muscles without stressing the joint.

Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragmatic Breathing1 min
Ankle Pumps
Ankle Pumps20x
Heel Slides
Heel Slides10x each side
Glute Squeezes
Glute Squeezes12x
Quad Sets
Quad Sets12x

Strength Circuit A

Controlled tempo. Use a chair for sit-to-stand; stop 1–2 reps before form breaks.

Sit to Stand
Sit to Stand10x
Clamshell
Clamshell12x each side
Glute Bridge
Glute Bridge10x
2 rounds

Gait Support

Strength and gait support. Hold onto a stable surface for standing exercises. Keep pelvis level.

Standing Hip Abduction
Standing Hip Abduction10x each side
Standing Hip Extension
Standing Hip Extension10x each side
March in Place
March in Place45 sec
2 rounds

Balance Practice

Stay tall, light grip on support if needed. Switch lead foot each round.

Tandem Stance Hold
Tandem Stance Hold30 sec
2 rounds · 15 sec rest

Cool-Down

Mobility and stretch. Gentle stretching to reduce stiffness after strengthening.

Wall Calf Stretch
Wall Calf Stretch30 sec each side
Standing Hip Flexor Stretch
Standing Hip Flexor Stretch30 sec each side
Every Exercise Targets Fracture-Site Stability

Every Exercise Targets Fracture-Site Stability

Glute bridges and clamshells directly load the gluteus medius and maximus — the muscles most responsible for protecting the repaired hip joint during weight transfer. Quad sets and heel slides reactivate the quadriceps without compressive joint loading, rebuilding the neuromuscular control that atrophies fastest post-fracture.

Hip Fracture Recovery Demands Relearning Trust

Hip Fracture Recovery Demands Relearning Trust

The hardest adaptation after a hip fracture isn't strength — it's overcoming protective muscle guarding that persists long after bone healing. Tandem stance and march in place specifically retrain single-leg proprioception and vestibular confidence, the two factors most predictive of fall prevention and functional independence.

Sequenced Loading for Bone-Safe Progression

Sequenced Loading for Bone-Safe Progression

This routine follows a proximal-to-distal activation sequence: breathing and ankle pumps prime circulation before any load reaches the hip. Sit-to-stand is the cornerstone functional milestone — as it becomes easier, increase chair height incrementally to add controlled eccentric demand without changing the movement pattern.

Intermediate Hip Fracture Recovery | Mighty Nimble | Mighty Nimble