What to Expect After Hip Replacement Surgery
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, physical therapy plays a crucial role in your recovery process. Understanding what to expect from physical therapy and your overall timeline for recovery, rehab and return to activity can help individuals navigate their rehabilitation journey effectively.
What is involved in Hip Replacement Surgery?
Your hip, once a smoothly functioning joint, probably now feels like a rusty hinge, creaking with every step. Once a debilitating condition - new surgical techniques and implant designs can offer patients real and lasting hope. Essentially, your surgeon delicately removes the worn-out and damaged sections of your hip joint, replacing them with a new ensemble constructed of metal, ceramic, and hard plastic – your very own hip upgrade. This artificial joint or prosthesis can be a game-changer: it reduces pain, improves function and increases your mobility. Bid farewell to the days of wincing with each movement, as this artificial joint swoops in to restore your freedom of motion. Whether it's osteoarthritis, injury, or wear and tear causing your hip woes, the promise of a hip replacement should feel like a beacon of hope, offering a chance to reclaim your vitality and rediscover the joy of the activities you’ve been missing out on.
You and Your Doctor Agree a Hip Replacement is Needed: How to Prepare
Preparing for hip surgery is like gearing up for a transformative adventure, and just like any great journey, the right preparation can make all the difference. That's where physical therapy swoops in as your trusty sidekick, gearing you up for the ultimate hip overhaul. Picture this: through a tailored regimen of targeted exercises and stretches, physical therapy becomes your personal trainer, sculpting those hip-hugging muscles, ironing out stiffness, and priming your body for the big day. But it's not just about getting you in shape for surgery – it's about arming you with the tools to bounce back stronger than ever. So, lace up those sneakers and get ready to conquer the hip surgery journey with the power of physical therapy by your side.
Day 1 Post-Op: Now What?
Physical therapy support is fundamental to recovery after a hip replacement, and in most cases starts immediately after surgery. One should work with a physical therapist throughout your recovery journey: in the hospital, rehab center, home, and ultimately in a clinic. Regardless of where the work is occuring, it is always the goal to strive towards pain free activity! Physical therapy, especially highly targeted manual physical therapy, helps patients as follows:
Restores hip motion
Promotes healing of scar tissue
Promotes safe and strong weight bearing and walking
Strengthens muscles surrounding the hip
Sets goals and expectations for returning to activity, and builds programming to help patients return to their favorite activities
Post Operative Recovery: What to Expect
Recovery is different for each person, but below are the relatively consistent rehab phases one should expect after surgery.
0 - 2 Weeks:
This phase of recovery typically starts in the hospital and is carried over to home. Your inpatient physical therapist will help you learn how to get in and out of bed, get on and off the toilet, and begin the process of walking. It’s hard to believe, but you will be up on your leg the same day as surgery! Once you leave the hospital, people often have a short period of time during which they receive in-home physical therapy. This is meant to initiate the strength recovery process, improve walking tolerance with a walker or cane, and ready the individual for outpatient care.
2-6 Weeks
This phase of recovery tends to happen in the clinic. During this time, one builds up tolerance for walking, managing swelling, and working on strength and range of motion. Your therapist will coach you, and use hands-on/manual techniques to support swelling remediation, range of motion enhancement, and scar care. You should expect to be fatigued and sore in this phase of care, and we encourage you to build in rest often and listen to your body.
6- 12 weeks
This is where the fun begins! By this time, your energy should be returning and your walking has improved significantly. Strength gains will become evident as well. You may or may not be walking with a cane at this point, you are learning how to take the stairs safely, walk over uneven surfaces and even balance on one leg!
12 - 20 Weeks
During this phase, the sky's the limit! You are striving to return to your previous activities and the exercises chosen get harder and should reflect your desired level of activity. This is the time to work towards getting back out there, whether it is a return to golf, weight lifting, getting on the pickleball court, or walking to your favorite restaurant.
Hip Rehabilitation at Thrive: We are Hip Specialists!
Thrive is a Participating Member of the HSS Rehabilitation Network, with 5 Hip Preservation Specialists on staff. We are available to consult with you prior to your surgery whether it’s tapping into our knowledge of NY-based surgeons or pre-surgical strengthening programs. In partnership with your physician, we’ll develop a treatment approach tailored to your unique condition, lifestyle, and goals. We’ll help you regain your function and mobility and arm you with the knowledge and tools to prevent future injuries and get back to an active lifestyle. We make innovative use of our in-clinic resources, including Pilates equipment, bikes, treadmills, weight training systems, balance tools, and more. Lastly, and most importantly, we practice with curiosity and compassion, always seeking to strive alongside with our patients towards their best outcomes.
As we like to say here at Thrive - you’ve got this. And we’ve got you!
