Rehabilitation After a Hip Fracture: the Effects of Dietary Protein and Exercise on Bone and Muscle Health and Quality of Life

Hip fractures often lead to functional limitations, loss of independence, weight loss and decreased well-being. Only half of the patients regain their functional level and 24% die within the following year. Financial consequences are significant due to costly surgery and long-term care. Hip fracture incidence is expected to increase sharply due to the ageing population, reducing accessibility to and quality of rehabilitation care. Therefore, optimizing treatment is essential. Previous protein and exercise studies showed improved muscle and bone health in healthy or frail community-dwelling older adults, but effects in older hip fracture patients are not known. Better rehabilitation may improve bone and muscle health, nutritional status, quality of life, lower costs and lower burden for healthcare. The overall objective is to investigate the effectiveness, costs and cost-effectiveness of a protein-enriched diet and resistance exercise for 3 months compared to usual care on bone and muscle health, and quality of life in older adults recovering from an acute hip fracture.

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a subject must meet all of the following criteria: * Age ≥ 65 years * Acute hip fracture * Able to give written informed consent * Mentally competent, as judged by the treating physician * Admission to a rehabilitation centre that participates in this research A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Allergic, intolerant or hypersensitive to milk/lactose (self-reported) * Not willing to stop using dietary supplements with exception of calcium and vitamin D * Pathological fracture or periprosthetic fracture * Abnormal hepatic or renal laboratory parameters, such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \