Hip Fracture: The Rest Isn't Orthopaedics

Welcome back to another special episode of The Rest Isn't Orthopaedics joined by Professor Iain Moppett, Professor of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine. In this episode we tackle Grace's questions about anaesthesia and what type is right for her. We explain what nerve blocks are and why so many hip fracture patients receive them, explore how clinicians choose between general and regional anae...

Welcome back to a very special episode, joined by Matt Costa, surgeon and professor of orthopaedics in Oxford. We dive into Grace's questions about her operation, clarifying why surgery is so important and unpack the differences between intracapsular and extracapsular hip fractures and their management. We finish by touching on subtrochanteric fractures, and exploring some of Matt's pionee...

Hello everyone and welcome back to Season 2! We’re launching a three-part mini-series starting with an episode on the consent process — and how to respond when Grace asks, “Do I need an operation?” We explore the legal and ethical aspects of consent, discuss non-operative management options, and look at how approaches differ across healthcare systems. We finish by unpacking the four ethical princi...

Hello everyone, and welcome back to our second season of  The Rest Isn’t Orthopaedics ! In this episode, we dive into the challenge of managing pain for Grace, our model hip fracture patient. We explore why the traditional WHO pain ladder no longer meets the needs of patients in this setting and how its stepwise approach can leave people under‑treated and distressed. Instead, we discuss more effec...

We’re almost ready to send Grace home! But if she does fall again, how can we prevent another fracture? In the final episode of our first season, we explore the key trials that have shaped our approach to bone health — from calcium and vitamin D to bisphosphonates such as alendronate, and finally zoledronate . We unpack the benefits and challenges of these treatments, and reflect on why bone prote...

In today’s episode, we return to Grace’s story, which began with a fall. Preventing the next fall is just as important as treating the consequences of the first. We look at why older adults fall, the major risk factors, and the strength of the evidence behind different interventions. Along the way, we discuss the key tests used to investigate falls and why they matter. Finally, we highlight the vi...

Nutrition is often the missing piece in hip fracture recovery — yet it can mean the difference between regaining independence or facing decline. In this episode, we unpack the evidence behind nutrition, or lack thereof, as well as ward-based strategies such as red trays and dietetic assistants. We also highlight the vital role family members play. Drawing on both research and real-world practice,...

Bed rest is no longer an option after hip fracture. Evidence shows that getting patients out of bed the day after surgery is one of the most powerful predictors of recovery. In this episode, we explore why early mobilisation matters, the barriers that can get in the way, and how the best hospitals anticipate and overcome them. We shine a spotlight on the crucial role physiotherapists play — helpin...

In today's episode we follow Grace, who seems confused despite a successful hip surgery. This episode unpacks the difference between dementia and delirium ; why delirium matters so much in hip fracture care, and what the evidence shows we can do to prevent it. With practical bedside tips and strategies, we explore how the whole team — from doctors to nurses to families — can reduce the burden of t...

Hip fractures are one of the most common reasons older adults come into hospital — but how dangerous is hip fracture surgery really ? In this episode, we go beyond the operation to explore what frailty means, how it shapes outcomes, and why managing it is often more challenging than fixing the bone. We dive into the comprehensive geriatric assessment and unpack the core pillars of acute hip fractu...

Hip fractures are the commonest reason for older adults to be admitted to hospital for emergency surgery — but the rest of their care isn’t about orthopaedics. Behind each fracture may lie frailty and a need for coordinated multidisciplinary teamwork. In this episode, we use hip fracture care as a lens to explore the wider challenges of caring for frail and older patients in hospital. From the ear...

Welcome to  Hip Fracture: The Rest Isn’t Orthopaedics! Dr. Raihaan Biju introduces season 1, which covers key medical topics — all viewed through the journey of a hip fracture patient. From acute care and delirium, nutrition, rehab, and preventing future falls and fractures, we break down the essentials of hospital care. Designed for the whole MDT, this series makes complex topics simple, practica...