Join Our Team
Over the next decade, the number of hip replacement surgeries in the US is expected to increase from 450,000 to 635,000. You might undergo this procedure following a hip fracture or when traditional arthritis treatment does not work. In all cases, the goal is to reduce pain, improve joint mobility and related functions like walking, sitting and climbing stairs.
Following hip replacement surgery, patients should not expect to resume normal activities right away. After the procedure, you will start a physical therapy routine designed to strengthen your muscles. Physical therapy sessions typically begin in the hospital or outpatient surgery center, and then transition eventually to outpatient therapy two to three times a week.
These appointments will be supplemented by at-home exercises recommended by your physical therapist. If you or a loved one is undergoing a hip replacement surgery, here’s what you should expect.
What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Total hip replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, involves removing the ball-and-socket joint and surrounding cartilage to add a prosthetic. The artificial joint may be made of metal or a synthetic substance and extends from the femur to the pelvic bone.
The procedure helps reduce pain from a hip injury, with the goal of improving your range of motion and ultimately, quality of life. Prior to hip replacement surgery, many people live with consistent pain in the hip, groin and thigh from rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. This sensation often reduces range of motion and subsequently the ability to walk, stand, climb stairs and perform other daily activities with ease.
Before the procedure is recommended for you, your doctor may conduct a series of X-rays to examine the area and determine if an artificial joint will help improve your range of motion. You may also undergo a preliminary physical therapy appointment, during which your motion, strength and ability to perform certain tasks will be assessed.
Based on this information, a total hip replacement may be recommended to replace the ball and socket. If the hip socket remains sturdy, the ball can be replaced during a partial hip replacement.
Recovery After Hip Replacement Surgery
As you wake up from surgery, expect to experience some stiffness in the hip and leg. You’ll be given ice and pain medication to reduce swelling. Physical therapy will start soon after to help improve muscle strength and range of motion.
As You Recover From Surgery
During this stage, exercises focus on helping you return to everyday activities. Typically, you will be advised to perform your exercise program two to three times per day. These early exercises assist with lessening any post-operative pain and improving circulation in your legs and feet to reduce blood clots, strengthen muscles, get your hip moving and eventually help you walk better.
Once you can get out of bed, exercises will help you stand independently with a supportive device. These exercises graduate into walking short distances and performing everyday actions such as:
- Sitting up in bed
- Moving a chair as you’re standing
- Practicing movements with your ankle, foot and knee fully touching the floor
- Improving your range of motion while standing and lying down
Initially, the amount of weight you place on your leg with the new joint will be limited. Gradually, your physical therapist helps you increase this amount, with the goal of balancing on both legs. At the next stage, you’ll start to reduce your dependence on assistive devices.
As your strength and flexibility return, rehabilitative exercises move toward stairs. You’ll learn to use supports and lead with your “good” leg as you head up. As you plan for your return home, make sure someone is around when you attempt to use stairs.
Long-Term Recovery
Once you are discharged from the hospital or surgery center following a hip replacement, you might be sent to a short-term rehabilitation facility or back home with the expectation that you will continue physical therapy in an outpatient setting.
In general, most hip-replacement patients resume their day-to-day activities in about three to six weeks after surgery – however, your recovery is not over yet. Over the next several months, your outpatient sessions will continue to address:
- Range of motion
- Stretching
- Weight-bearing activities
- Strengthening hip muscles that may have atrophied from limited movement
To prepare for your return to work and resume more strenuous activities, your sessions may involve lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing and light jogging. Short walks may also be recommended, 20 to 30 minutes per day to improve your endurance. Until you can confidently balance on your own, you should continue using a cane or crutch.
As you recover from partial or total hip replacement surgery, the physical therapists at Integrated Rehab can assist with your recovery. To learn more about our services, contact us today.