What types of exercises can be done to help heal and return full
functionality to a broken femur and a fractured hip that was the
result of an auto accident that happened in early April 2005
(Approximately Six Weeks Ago).  The person who sustained these
injuries is incarcerated and does not have access to outside physical
therapy and would be completing these exercises with very minimal
outside assistance.  Also, what type frame could be expected for the
femur to be fully functional without the assistance of crutches or
wheelchairs.  When should the patient make the transition to using
crutches and then walking on their own without assistance? (The femur
was repaired surgically and a permanent metal brace was used to assist
in the
healing process.)

What type of break was it? The femur takes a while to heal, it's a
very thickened dense bone and complete immobility and bracing of the
affected leg is best for the first few weeks. If the patient feels
very little pain or downward pressure on the break, then crutches can
be used but only minimally.

If a surgical brace was used to hold the bone, then healing should be
a smooth transition. Fairly regularly the leg should be obsereved for
severe excessive bruising (other than what was sustained in the
accident) and evidence of infection.

In terms of exercises, the best thing to do after the immobility phase
has passed, is to perform exercises which stregnthen the muscles
surrounding the bone, nothing too heavy like squats! Just gentle leg
lifting and the like.

:)