Video transcript

Let’s talk about your injury and what to expect during your recovery.

You’ve fractured a part of your upper leg bone called the greater trochanter. This area sits at the top of your femur — also known as the thigh-bone — which runs from your pelvis down to your knee. The greater trochanter is a bony bump you can feel on the outside of your hip, and several important muscles attach here to help move the hip joint.

This type of fracture does not involve the neck of the femur — which is the main weight-bearing part of the hip. That’s important, because it means the fracture is generally stable and doesn't usually require an operation. Most people can safely put weight through the leg from an early stage.

Once the fracture is confirmed, you're usually discharged home with painkillers and advice to walk as comfort allows. Even though the fracture is stable, we often provide crutches or a walking frame to help support you — especially during the first few days when the pain is at its worst. Using walking aids early on also helps reduce the risk of falls, which is especially important in older patients.

You’ll normally be seen in the fracture clinic within a week or two. At that appointment, we’ll check how you're feeling and look for any signs of a more serious injury to the nearby neck of the femur. If there’s any doubt, we can arrange further scans to get a clearer picture.

This may include an MRI or CT scan if symptoms don’t match the X-ray findings.

If everything looks as expected and no other fractures are found, you probably won’t need further follow-up with the orthopaedic team unless concerns develop. You're encouraged to gradually increase your walking distance and general activity as your symptoms improve. If you’re finding it hard to walk or struggling with balance or strength, physiotherapy can be helpful.

The most common issue people report is pain or discomfort over the outside of the hip or buttock area during movement. That’s usually related to the muscles that attach to the greater trochanter — they heal alongside the bone and can feel sore or weak during recovery. In some cases, there may also be bruising, swelling or tenderness that takes a few weeks to settle.

After being less active for a while, some people notice mild weakness in moving the leg out to the side — a movement called abduction — but it’s rare for this to cause problems with everyday tasks. Simple rehab exercises can help regain strength in these muscles over time.

During the first couple of weeks, walking is often uncomfortable, and you may need to use crutches or a frame. But weightbearing is safe right from the start, and it’s important to stay as mobile as you can to avoid losing strength or fitness. Try to keep the leg moving gently throughout the day, even if only for short walks around the house.

Most people return to walking unaided and light activity within four to six weeks. By eight to ten weeks, the majority are back to full function — including high-impact or heavy lifting.