Anticipated hip replacement recovery trajectory: Insights on the recovery process
Getting Back to Your Routine After Hip Replacement Surgery: A Guide
Let's talk about recovering from hip replacement surgery, shall we? Most folks can get back to light activities within a jiffy - 3 to 6 weeks after the operation. But, hey, remember everyone's gotta take things at their own pace.
In the first few weeks, you might wanna steer clear of certain activities, like getting down and dirty, intense exercise, or work that requires heavy lifting. Good ol' doc might also prescribe some meds to manage the pain and swelling.
Gearing Up for Surgery
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) reckons most folks can be independent with daily living tasks and light activities within 3 to 6 weeks of surgery. But, what you do before surgery can impact the entire recovery timeline.
Preparing for a partial or total hip replacement is the same ballgame, whether you're getting a partial or total one. The outcomes and recovery process also tick the same for both.
To prep for surgery, here are some suggestions:
- Chat with your doc about the procedure and ask questions
- Ask your doc about exercises that can make your legs, core, and torso stronger before surgery
- Try to keep a moderate weight, which can help you steer clear of complications during surgery
- If you smoke, attempt to cut back or stop altogether
- Arrange for someone to help with daily tasks for a week or two following your return home after surgery
- Prepare meals in advance for easier consumption after you return home
- Make your home accessible and convenient for yourself, such as:
- A raised toilet seat
- Safety bars in the bathroom
- A walker or crutches
The First Few Days Post-Surgery
After a partial or total hip replacement, you might spend 1 to 2 days in the hospital. Some folks might even go home the same day as their surgery.
In the days following surgery, docs typically administer painkillers, which could include:
- Opioids
- Local anesthetics
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Acetaminophen
The doc may staple or stitch close the incision for about 2 weeks. This might require wound care at home, which the medical team will discuss with you.
Healthcare professionals will help you get up and move around as soon as possible after surgery. You might be able to walk short distances with assistance on the same day as the operation, although this can initially feel painful or uncomfortable.
A physiotherapist may show you how to exercise your leg to strengthen the hip and advise you on what activities to avoid. They may also show you how to sit and bend to avoid damaging the new hip.
Heading Back Home
People might require help with daily tasks for several weeks after returning home or they may need to stay in a rehabilitation facility.
People might experience some pain and discomfort for a few weeks and should continue taking any prescription medications.
You might attend physical therapy or need to perform exercises at home that your physical therapist recommends. Daily exercises will help speed up recovery and improve flexibility and strength in the new joint.
If necessary, a home health aide, nurse, or physical therapist may check in and assist with recovery.
Remember to keep the surgery incision wound dry until a doctor removes the stitches or staples.
Recovery at the 10 to 14-Day Mark
By 10 to 14 days after surgery, you should no longer have your stitches. Pain and swelling may start to go down, although this might take more time for some.
Activity levels at this stage may vary from person to person. Some individuals might be able to move about more easily without aid, while others might still require a cane or walker.
Recovery Beyond 2 Weeks
Within 3 to 6 weeks, many people can generally resume light activities of daily living. They might feel stronger, more stable, and comfortable putting more weight on their leg. They might also be able to resume some basic self-care and light chores.
Many folks feel ready to return to work after 6 weeks, but this could vary. After 6 to 8 weeks, people might be able to safely have sex again.
You should continue physical therapy as your physical therapist recommends, for at least two months after surgery. You can speak with your doc about when it is safe to do additional exercise, such as swimming and walking.
Recovery Beyond 3 Months
After 3 months, you might be able to resume daily activities. You should check with your doc about when to reduce or stop physical therapy. By this time, you might be able to resume low-impact sports.
Recovery can vary, and you should check in with your doc for an evaluation of your progress and to discuss the types of physical therapy that will benefit you the most.
Tips for Aiding Recovery
- Stick to physical therapy exercises as your 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
Avoid:
- Sitting still for long periods
- Crossing your legs at the knee
- Bending your hip more than 90 degrees
- Bending down to touch your feet or ankles
- Sitting in low chairs
- Intense exercise, such as jumping or sudden turns
- Moving or lifting heavy objects
Recovery in Older vs. Younger People
Traditionally, medical experts would not recommend hip replacements for people under 20 years old due to unfavorable outcomes. However, some younger patients might need a total hip replacement due to a condition called osteonecrosis of the femoral head, in which the femoral head - the top part of the thigh bone - collapses.
In younger populations, modern hip replacement implants are leading to improved outcomes and survival rates.
In general, recovery is usually free of complications in younger folks, but comorbid illnesses might adversely affect this.
In older adults, recover might be more challenging as they might already have compromised mobility. After hip surgery, they might require permanent assistance.
Avoiding falls, where possible, should be a priority for older folks after hip replacement surgery, as a fall could mean they'll need additional surgery.
• 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
Hip Resurfacing Recovery
In hip resurfacing, a surgeon trims and caps the femoral head, or hip joint, with a smooth metal cover instead of removing it. The doc will remove the damaged cartilage and bone inside the socket and replace it with a metal shell.
Most individuals can go home 1 to 4 days after hip resurfacing surgery. Sometimes, they can begin putting weight on their leg immediately afterward, but they may need a walking aid like a walker, cane, or crutches for the first few days or weeks.
People might experience some pain and discomfort for several weeks after surgery. A doc may prescribe NSAIDs or opioids for more severe pain.
Similarly, a doc may recommend physical therapy after surgery and will recommend exercises to help maintain range of motion and restore strength. People might resume their regular activities around 6 weeks after surgery.
Hip Replacement Surgery Outlook
After hip replacement surgery, individuals can typically expect:
- Less pain
- Better mobility
- Improved quality of life
- Improvements in daily activities
• 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
However, there might be some long-term effects and restrictions after hip replacement surgery, such as:
- Numbness, pain, or stiffness around the incision site
- Affecting aspects of someone's life, like going through metal detectors, high-impact sports, dental procedures, and sexual activity
By following the guidelines and precautions, you can ensure a smoother and safer recovery from hip replacement surgery.
- The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) often suggests that individuals can be self-reliant for daily tasks within 3 to 6 weeks of a hip replacement surgery.
- Whether you're getting a partial or total hip replacement, the preparation process and recovery outcomes tend to be similar.
- Before surgery, it's advisable to discuss the procedure with your doctor and ask any questions you might have.
- Exercises that strengthen the legs, core, and torso can be beneficial before surgery.
- Maintaining a moderate weight can help avoid complications during surgery.
- If you smoke, it may be beneficial to quit or reduce smoking before the surgery.
- For assistance with daily tasks for a week or two post-surgery, arrange for someone to help.
- Prepare meals in advance for easier consumption once you're home.
- Home modifications, like installing a raised toilet seat and safety bars in the bathroom, can make your living space more accessible.
- In the initial weeks following surgery, avoid activities such as getting down and dirty, intense exercise, or heavy lifting.
- Your doctor may prescribe painkillers like opioids, local anesthetics, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or a combination to manage post-surgery pain and swelling.
- In the days following surgery, you might spend 1 to 2 days in the hospital.
- Home wound care may be required once the doctor staples or stitches the incision for approximately 2 weeks.
- Healthcare professionals will encourage you to get up and move about as soon as possible after surgery.
- You may be able to walk short distances with assistance on the same day of the operation, although this may initially feel uncomfortable.
- A physiotherapist will demonstrate exercises to strengthen the hip and advise you on activities to avoid.
- You may need help with daily tasks for several weeks after returning home or may require a stay at a rehabilitation facility.
- As pain and discomfort subside, you should continue taking any prescribed medications.
- Attending physical therapy or performing exercises at home as recommended by your physical therapist will speed up recovery and improve the flexibility and strength of the new joint.
- In some cases, home health aides, nurses, or physical therapists may visit and assist with recovery.
- Keep the surgery incision wound dry until a doctor removes the stitches or staples.
- By 10 to 14 days after surgery, the stitches should no longer be present.
- Pain and swelling may reduce, although this may take more time for some individuals.
- By 3 to 6 weeks, many people can perform light activities of daily living.
- Many individuals feel ready to return to work after 6 weeks, but this can vary.
- After 6 to 8 weeks, people might be able to safely have sex again.
- Continue physical therapy as recommended by your physical therapist for at least two months following surgery.
- After 3 months, you might be able to resume daily activities and low-impact sports with your doctor's permission.
- To aid in recovery, stick to physical therapy exercises as your physical therapist instructs, try other gentle exercises, sit in a reclining position, use a cold compress, take any prescription medications as directed, and use walking aids if necessary.
- Avoid 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, moving or lifting heavy objects, and falling, especially for older adults.
- Modern hip replacement implants have led to improved outcomes and survival rates in younger populations.
- In general, older adults may find recovery more challenging due to compromised mobility, and they may require permanent assistance. Avoiding falls should be a priority for older adults after hip replacement surgery.
