My name is Melinda Johnson and I suffered with foot pain for many years. I went to see a podiatrist and after an examination, I was told that I had heel spur syndrome. I followed the recommendations of my doctor by doing at home treatments along with physical therapy. I was amazed at how much these treatments helped my foot pain. Living with pain can have a big impact on your life and that's why I started this blog. My foot pain kept me from doing many things that I enjoy and I want to help others who are going through the same situation. As you browse through my blog, you'll learn about home treatments, medical procedures and new advancements in medicine that can help reduce pain. It is my hope that by writing this blog, you can live pain free too.
Loving My Pain Free Life
How To Ensure A Quick Recovery After Hip Replacement Surgery
Claire Roberts
If you're undergoing hip replacement surgery at a reputable clinic like Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon, it's necessary for you to have the proper post-surgery recovery to realize the full benefits of this procedure. This means taking the right medication, participating in physical rehabilitation, and organizing your life around your new hip. Here are things you can do to make your post-surgery experience as smooth and healthy as possible.
What to Expect After Surgery
For most patients who receive hip replacement surgery, there will be a 3 to 4 day period spent inside the hospital to recover. Your hospital stay mostly depends on how invasive your surgery is and whether you're undergoing a total hip replacement or not. Following surgery, you may experience some pain, but this should be managed with pain medication and efforts by hospital staff to make you as comfortable as possible.
Surgery complications with hip replacement surgery are very rare, but some patients may experience infection or inflammation. You will likely be given a round of antibiotics if you experience any infections, and it's important to inform your doctor if you begin to feel sick or experience symptoms of infection, such as fever or chills.
In some cases, blood clots can form, which can prove to be potentially life threatening if they interfere with the function of your heart or brain. After surgery, you will be given medication to prevent the formation of clots, along with orthopedic support stockings to keep your blood flowing properly.
Physical Therapy Regimen
Following your hip surgery, it is very likely that you will begin physical therapy the following day. This involves very simple and light exercises, which usually involve lying in bed while you contract muscles around your buttocks and leg areas, taking care to not actually move your hip area. Your physical therapist will demonstrate which exercises are safe for you to perform, all of which should help you build up your muscle strength to maintain your range of motion with your new hip.
After you leave the hospital, a physical therapist will visit your home around 3 to 4 times a week to help you further build on your progress and keep you focused on your exercise goals. You should follow your physical therapist's directions exactly and take care not to overexert yourself during the recovery process.
Going Home
As much as you might like to take off running once you get home, you need to have a plan in place to ensure you heal properly and adapt to your new hip. You'll need someone to drive you home from the hospital and conduct chores for you for at least 2 weeks if possible. You will also be unable to drive for at least 3 weeks after your new hip. Since you will have doctor's appointments periodically, try to arrange for a friend of family member to help with transportation.
You should also look into hiring a homecare nurse or attendant who can help you with dressing, washing and cleaning, as you will likely be unable to do these basic tasks for 3 weeks or so. It's likely your overall short-term recovery will take 4 to 6 weeks, and will allow you to take short walks around the block and move around your house. Longer-term recovery involving full range of motion and the ability to move longer distances may take 1 to 6 months.
Ultimately, hip replacement surgery can dramatically increase your quality of life. By following the above advice you can help yourself heal properly and regain your independence faster.
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