Anticipated Recovery Schedule for Hip Replacement: Insights on Post-Surgery Progression
Hip replacement surgery ain't no walk in the park, but it'll have ya back on your feet in no time, baby! Here's the lowdown on what you can expect during recovery.
First off, most folks can get back to light activities within 3 to 6 weeks post-op. They might have to steer clear of certain activities, though, like sex, intense exercise, and work in the early stages. Your doctor will likely prescribe some pain-relieving meds to help you out.
Before the surgery, it's crucial to prepare your bod for the procedure. Generally, you should:
- Talk shop with your doc and healthcare team and learn what to expect.
- Do some leg, core, and upper body strengthening exercises in the lead-up to the surgery.
- Maintain a modicum weight to reduce the risk of complications.
- Quit smoking or at least limit it if possible.
- Line up some help for day-to-day activities after your return home from the hospital.
- Prep some meals for when you get home.
- Make your penny-pincher's paradise (home) more accessible for your recovery, like adding a handheld showerhead, a raised toilet seat, and grab bars in the bathroom.
After the surgery, you might stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days, but some folks go home the same day. In the days after, your doc will likely administer pain relievers, which may include opioids, local anesthetic, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen. You can expect your incision to be stapled or stitched up for about 2 weeks, which'll require some wound care at home.
A physiotherapist will show you some exercises to strengthen your leg and advise you on what activities to avoid. You'll need to attend physical therapy and perform exercises at home as your physiotherapist recommends, which will speed up your recovery and improve the flexibility and strength of your new joint.
For several weeks after returning home, you'll likely require help with daily tasks or you may need to stay in a rehabilitation facility. You'll feel some pain and discomfort for a few weeks, so be sure to keep taking your prescription medications.
After about 10 to 14 days, you should have stopped taking painkillers and your stitches will be out. The pain and swelling may start to diminish, but it may take longer for some. Activity levels will vary from person to person, but many people can do more without aid.
By the 3 to 6 week mark, most people can generally resume light daily activities. They may feel more stable, more comfortable putting weight on their leg, and able to handle some basic self-care tasks. Many people feel ready to get back to work after 6 weeks, but don't just jump into it without checking with your doc.
You'll continue physical therapy as your physical therapist recommends for at least 2 months after surgery, but you can discuss additional exercise options, like swimming and walking, with your doc.
After 3 months, you'll likely be able to return to normal activities, but you should check with your doc about when it's safe to reduce or stop physical therapy. Many hip replacements last for at least 15 years, so you can expect a good turning point in your life after the surgery.
Some folks face challenges in their recovery, particularly the older folks. They may already have compromised mobility, so after hip surgery, they might require permanent assistance. To prevent falls, they may benefit from using a walker, crutches, or a walking stick. In older adults, surgery may have an increased risk of complications, so it's essential to speak with a doc about any health issues.
Hip resurfacing recovery is similar to that of a traditional hip replacement. After surgery, you'll likely go home in 1 to 4 days and may be able to start putting weight on your leg immediately. You'll likely experience some pain and discomfort for a few weeks and will need NSAIDs or opioids for severe pain. A doctor may also recommend physical therapy after surgery and exercises to help maintain range of motion and restore strength.
You can expect some positive changes after hip replacement surgery, like less pain, better mobility, improved quality of life, and easier daily activities. But, there may be some long-term effects, like numbness, pain, or stiffness around the incision site.
Some aspects of your life will change after the surgery, too, like:
- Metal detectors, such as through airport security, may detect your hip replacement. Let relevant staff know before using them.
- High impact sports, which may involve jumping, physical contact, or quick turns, may increase the risk of falls or injury that might require further surgery.
- Dental procedures may require antibiotics, so make sure your dental surgeon knows about your hip replacement.
- Sexual activity can resume after about 6 weeks but may require some precautions, like choosing safe positions and using supportive cushions.
If you really want the gory details:
After the surgery, it takes about 1 to 2 days for people to leave the hospital. Some individuals may be able to go home on the same day as the surgery. In the days that follow, doctors will administer pain relievers, which may include opioids, local anesthetic, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and sometimes even a continuous nerve block for post-operative pain control. Staples or stitches will be used to close the incision, which may require about 2 weeks of wound care at home.
Healthcare professionals will help you to get up and move around as soon as possible after the operation. This can initially feel a bit uncomfortable, but it's crucial in preventing blood clots and reducing the risk of complications. You may even be able to start walking short distances with assistance on the same day as the surgery. A physiotherapist will also teach you how to exercises your leg to strengthen the hip and advise you on activities to avoid to prevent damage to the new joint. They may also show you how to sit and bend properly to protect the new hip.
After returning home, folks will likely require help with daily tasks for several weeks. Depending on your progress, you may need to stay in a rehabilitation facility for some time. You can expect to feel some pain for a few weeks, so it's important to continue taking any prescription medications.
Around the 10 to 14 day mark, you should no longer have stitches. Pain and swelling may start to decrease by this time, although it may take longer for some people. Activity levels may also vary from person to person, with some people feeling able to move around without aid and others still requiring a cane or walker.
• 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
By about 3 to 6 weeks after the surgery, many people can generally resume light activities like shopping, dressing, and cooking. They may start to feel more stable, more comfortable putting weight on their leg, and can do some self-care tasks. Many people feel ready to return to work after 6 weeks, but before going back, it's a good idea to chat with your doc to ensure you're all set.
For about 2 months after the surgery, you'll need to attend physical therapy and do the exercises your physical therapist recommends. After that, you can discuss additional exercise options, like swimming and walking, with your doc.
After 3 months, you should start to feel back to your old self and should be able to resume daily activities. You'll want to check with your doc about when it's safe to reduce or stop physical therapy, but by this time, many folks can return to low-impact sports. Recovery is highly individualized, so make sure to keep in touch with your doc for updates on your progress and recommendations for physical therapy.
In cases where you need to avoid activities that strain the hip, don't be afraid to get creative. For example, if you're an athlete, you can give triathlon a try instead of running marathons. If you're not feeling up for playing with the grandkids, you can always engage in activities that don't involve lots of physical exertion, like puzzles or board games. Remember, it's important to focus on the activities you can do and the positive changes that the hip replacement has brought to your life.
• 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
Sources:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Hip replacement surgery. https://www.aaos.org/hip-replacement-surgery.aspx
- WebMD. Hip replacement recovery. https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/hip-replacement-recovery#1
- Max Orthopaedics, NY. Hip replacement surgery recovery timeline. https://www.maxortho.com/hip_replacement_surgery_recovery_timeline
- Oswestry Hill Clinic. Your recovery after hip replacement surgery. https://www.oswestryhillclinic.nhs.uk/your-recovery-after-hip-replacement-surgery/
- Harvard Health Publishing. What to expect after hip replacement surgery. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/what-to-expect-after-hip-replacement-surgery
- A physiotherapist might advise some exercises to strengthen the leg after hip replacement surgery and suggest activities to avoid, which will speed up recovery and improve the flexibility and strength of the new joint.
- Chronic diseases like obesity, colitis, ulcerative colitis, COPD, chronic kidney disease, and Alzheimer's, as well as other medical conditions, can be managed through science, medical-adjusted therapies, and treatments, nutritional planning, and weight management for better health and wellness.
- It's essential to maintain a moderate weight and learn predictive analytics to reduce the risk of complications before undergoing hip replacement surgery.
- In some cases, hip replacement surgery might have an increased risk of complications in older adults, so it's vital to discuss any health issues with a doctor before the surgery.
- For several weeks after returning home, you may require help with daily tasks, or you may need to stay in a rehabilitation facility.
- After 10 to 14 days, stitches should be out, and pain and swelling may begin to diminish, although it may take longer for some individuals.
- After about 3 to 6 weeks, many people can generally resume light activities, feel more stable, and able to handle some basic self-care tasks.
- After 3 months, you may return to normal activities, but it's crucial to continue physical therapy and discuss additional exercise options with your doctor, such as swimming and walking.
