Anticipated recovery process following hip replacement surgery: Understanding the expected stages
Heyo! So, you've got a hip replacement surgery coming up, eh? Here's the lowdown on what you can expect. To prepare for the big day, several weeks (or more) before the surgery, it's best to:
- Chat with your doctor about what's ahead and what to expect during and after surgery.
- Ask your doc for leg-strengthening exercises to do beforehand.
- Try to keep a moderate weight, which can reduce risks during surgery.
- Quit smoking, if possible.
- Get someone to help with daily tasks for a week or two after your return home.
- Prepare meals beforehand for ease after surgery.
- Make sure your home is accessible and convenient, with things like a raised toilet seat, safety bars in the bathroom, and walking aids ready.
After the procedure, you may be in the hospital for 1-2 days, or potentially go home the same day. Pain management will be key, and your doctor might prescribe opioids, local anesthetics, NSAIDs, or acetaminophen. Your stitches will be removed after about 2 weeks, and during this time, you'll need to take care of your incision wound.
Your physical therapist will help you get up and moving as soon as possible, and you may be able to walk short distances with assistance on the same day as surgery – although, understandably, this might feel painful or uncomfortable at first. The physio will also show you how to exercise your leg to strengthen your hip and advise on activities to avoid.
For a few weeks after returning home, you may need assistance with daily tasks, and you should keep taking any prescribed medications for pain. Your physical therapist will likely have further exercises for you to do at home to aid recovery. A home health aide, nurse, or physical therapist might check in to assist with your recovery as well.
By 10 to 14 days after surgery, your stitches should be gone, and pain and swelling might start to subside. After 3 to 6 weeks, many people can generally resume light activities like daily living and light chores. Most folks feel ready to return to work around 6 weeks after surgery, but this can depend on the nature of your job.
You'll continue with physical therapy for at least two months after surgery, gradually increasing your activity level as recommended by your doctor. After 3 months, you may be able to resume low-impact sports. Your recovery might still have its ups and downs, and you should check in with your doctor regularly to ensure you're on track.
To improve your recovery, keep these tips in mind:- Stick to your physical therapy exercises.- Try gentle exercises like walking daily.- Sit in a reclining position.- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.- Take medications as directed by your doctor.- Use walking aids, like crutches, if necessary.
Recovery might be more challenging for older adults, as they may already have compromised mobility. It's crucial to avoid falls, as a fall could mean needing further surgery. If you're younger, recovery is generally free of complications, but comorbid illnesses might affect your recovery.
• sitting still for long periods• crossing the legs at the knee• bending the hip more than 90 degrees• bending down to touch the feet or ankles• sitting in low chairs• intense exercise, which may involve jumping or sudden turns• moving or lifting heavy objects
Hip resurfacing recovery is similar, with most people going home 1 to 4 days after surgery. After a few days or weeks, they can start putting weight on their leg—though they may need a walking aid, like a walker, cane, or crutches.
Overall, hip replacement and resurfacing surgeries have high success rates, and you can expect less pain, better mobility, and improved quality of life. However, you might experience some long-term effects like numbness, pain, or stiffness around the incision site. Hip replacements can also affect metal detectors at airports, high-impact sports, dental procedures, and sexual activity – so remember to let the relevant parties know!
• follow physical therapy exercises as a physical therapist instructs• try other gentle exercises, such as daily walking• sit in a reclining position• use a cold compress to reduce swelling• take any prescription medications as a doctor instructs• use walking aids, such as crutches, if necessary
FYI, you can usually walk short distances with assistance the same day as the surgery, and there's no age limit on hip replacements. Most modern artificial hip replacements last at least 15 years, and you can expect one to last in 58% of cases. Take care and happy healing!
- Discuss your upcoming hip replacement surgery with your doctor to understand what to expect.
- Ask your doctor for leg-strengthening exercises to perform before the surgery.
- Maintaining a moderate weight can reduce risks during surgery, so try to keep a healthy lifestyle.
- Quitting smoking, if possible, can improve recovery and reduce risks.
- Arrange for someone to help with daily tasks for a week or two after returning home.
- Prepare meals beforehand for ease after surgery.
- Ensure your home is accessible and convenient with a raised toilet seat, safety bars in the bathroom, and walking aids ready.
- After the surgery, you may need assistance with daily tasks, and you should take prescribed pain medications.
- Your physical therapist will assist you in getting up and moving as soon as possible.
- A home health aide, nurse, or physical therapist might check in to help with your recovery.
- Recovery might be more challenging for older adults due to compromised mobility.
- For a few weeks after returning home, keep taking any prescribed medications for pain.
- After 10 to 14 days, stitches should be gone, and pain and swelling might subside.
- After 3 to 6 weeks, many people can resume light activities like daily living and light chores.
- Most folks feel ready to return to work around 6 weeks after surgery, but this can depend on the nature of your job.
- Continue with physical therapy for at least two months after surgery, gradually increasing activity as recommended by your doctor.
- After 3 months, you may be able to resume low-impact sports.
- Remember to stick to your physical therapy exercises for improved recovery.
- Try gentle exercises like walking daily to aid in recovery.
- Sit in a reclining position and use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Take medications as directed by your doctor.
- Use walking aids, like crutches, if necessary.
- Recovery might be more complicated if you have comorbid illnesses.
- Hip resurfacing recovery is similar, with most people going home 1 to 4 days after surgery.
- After a few days or weeks, hip resurfacing patients can start putting weight on their leg.
- Hip resurfacing surgeries have high success rates, but there might be long-term effects like numbness, pain, or stiffness.
- Hip replacements can affect metal detectors at airports, high-impact sports, dental procedures, and sexual activity.
- Explain your hip replacement or resurfacing surgery to relevant parties like airport security, sports coaches, dentists, and partners.
- Modern artificial hip replacements can last at least 15 years, with one lasting in 58% of cases.
- There's no age limit on hip replacements.
- Science and technology in the medical-conditions industry have made strides in furthering the success rates and longevity of hip replacements.
- Investing in therapies-and-treatments, nutrition, and overall health-and-wellness can help in quicker recovery and better long-term outcomes.
