Hip replacement surgery is a procedure that almost anyone can have. Although it’s often recommended for young people or teenagers, it’s not unheard of among them. In fact, many young people end up getting the procedure as they grow older and begin to experience the aches and pains that come with having an arthritic hip. Even once you know you need a hip replacement, you might be nervous about recovery. After all, this is the major surgery we’re talking about. But don’t worry — getting a new hip doesn’t have to be scary at all. It also doesn’t mean that your active life has to come to an end either! With the right preparation and support, recovering from hip replacement surgery is usually much easier than most people think. Here are the top five best ways to recover after hip replacement surgery:
Go to physical therapy before your surgery.
One of the best things you can do before getting a hip replacement is to go to physical therapy. This will help you learn ways to manage your pain so that you can stay as active as possible — even if you have to reduce certain activities. It’s also an excellent way to get advice about what you can and can’t do after surgery. After all, a therapist who works with people who have undergone hip replacement surgery can give you more specific and personalized advice than your Joint Replacement Surgeon can. You should be sure to ask your doctor about going to physical therapy before surgery so you can get the most out of the experience. If you have pain in your hip joint, it is best to see your doctor and get a referral to physical therapy as soon as possible. Physical therapy for hip pain will often include exercises that help strengthen the muscles around and near the hip joint. If you have had an injury to your hip and are waiting for surgery, you can also often get help from physical therapy to manage the pain in the meantime.
Stay active during your recovery.
One of the toughest challenges after a hip replacement is getting people to understand that they need to remain active. In fact, many well-meaning family members and friends will try to insist that you take it easy — or even put you on bed rest! But you shouldn’t let anyone tell you to stop being active. This is a big part of how you’ll recover from hip replacement surgery and get back to being yourself as soon as possible. You’ll want to begin with low-impact activities. Swimming is a great choice. It’s low impact and a great way to get your muscles moving again. You can also opt for things like cycling or indoor rowing. Just make sure you’re careful not to push yourself too hard. You don’t want to do any more damage to your hip — especially before the surgery. Once you’ve had the surgery, you’ll have to be even more careful about not pushing yourself too hard too soon. You don’t want to risk opening up your incision.
Take the right medications and vitamins.
One of the best ways to recover after Hip Joint Replacement is to take the right medications and vitamins. There are a few medications you’ll likely be prescribed after surgery. One of the most important is called a painkiller. It’s critical that you take these as prescribed to make sure you don’t have any significant pain. You’ll also likely be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection. Take these medications exactly as directed. You also might be prescribed something called a blood thinner to reduce the risk of clotting. While these medications will help you recover from surgery, vitamins can also help. Vitamin C helps your body heal faster, while B vitamins help with the nervous system — which may be a little off after major surgery. Vitamins C and B are also anti-inflammatory, which can help you feel less pain and recover more quickly.
Make a rehabilitation plan for after surgery.
Once you’ve had your surgery, you should create a rehabilitation plan. The plan will include ways to help you recover from surgery — as well as ways to help you become mobile again as soon as possible. Make sure your doctor is involved in creating the plan. They can give you advice based on your specific condition. You can also speak to physical therapists to get some ideas about what would be best for you. In general, you’ll want to make sure your plan includes exercises for the following things: – Core strength: The muscles around your abdomen and lower back are critical for supporting your hip after surgery. Make sure you’re doing exercises to get them back in shape. – Local strength: The muscles around your hips and thighs are important for helping you to walk with crutches or a walker. You’ll want to do specific exercises to make sure they’re strong. – Range of motion: You want to make sure your hip has a full range of motion. Doing exercises like stretching and yoga can help with this.
Bottom line
Hip replacement surgery is major surgery — but it also doesn’t have to be a big deal. With the right preparation and support, it’s possible to recover quickly and get back to being active as soon as possible. You should make sure you go to physical therapy before surgery to learn ways to manage pain and stay active. Once you’ve had surgery, you should create a rehabilitation plan to help you recover quickly. And of course, make sure you pay attention to the best ways to recover after hip replacement surgery so that you can get back to your normal life as soon as possible.
