Thinking it’s time for a hip replacement? Have you tried any other treatment options? Did any of them help? If nothing else helped you, then a hip replacement may be considered. The process to get hip surgery can be painful and can take several months to fully recover. On top of that, you will need to be very careful to ensure that the replacement will be successful. However, if the pain is simply unbearable and you believe that the time, effort, and cost of recovery are worth it, then you should get a hip replacement. You should consider the following to decide whether hip replacement is worth it.
1. Painkillers and physical therapy aren’t helping you cope
Most simple hip pain issues can be fixed with medications and physical therapy. However, under harsh conditions, it may not be possible to handle such processing well. Taking pain-relieving medications for more than a month without any relief, you should talk to your doctor about your surgery.
2. Pain is consistently affecting your daily work life and worsening your mental health
Hip pain that interferes with simple tasks like walking, bending over, or driving. If you feel increased anxiety or depression, then it may be time to see your doctor for hip replacement surgery.
3. Pain is preventing you from resting or sleeping properly
Hip pain that interferes with your rest or sleep habits, it may be worthwhile to opt for hip replacement surgery. A medical examination by an orthopedic specialist or physical therapist is often a good idea. If your sleep is interrupted by persistent hip pain, doctors may identify hip replacement surgery as the right solution to your problem.
4. Your hip joint is damaged beyond repair
If the doctor determines that the damage or deterioration around the hip joint exceeds the body’s normal healing capacity, the doctor may recommend surgery. It is not advisable to wait too long for damaged joints to heal, as they can get worse over time.
5. You have arthritis
Patients with osteoarthritis are among the most commonly recommended group for surgery. If your pain and life continue to get worse with arthritis, and your doctors decide that surgery is indeed the right option, you should opt for a hip replacement.
6. Stiff legs and hard-to-achieve movement
If your hip joint is stuck and feels stiff, you should immediately consider seeing a doctor for hip replacement surgery. If your pain and life keep getting worse because of arthritis and your doctors decide that surgery really is the right option. You should choose the replacement of the hip joint in order to achieve a better quality of life.
7. You are looking for long-term relief
For patients who face chronic “perinatal problems” for a long time, the long-term solution may be a commissural substitution. When all available pain-relieving treatments such as injections and oral medications have failed to provide relief, hip replacement surgery could be the right option as it usually lasts for decades.
Recovery After Hip Replacement Surgery
After having a hip replacement surgery, recovery time will vary depending on the type of surgery done to the hip. Some patients may be eligible for same-day discharge, while other patients may require a week or two of hospital stay.
In the immediate aftermath of the surgery, you will be lying flat on your back and a pillow will be placed between your legs to keep your hips in the right position. You will also have a dressing on your leg which will help protect your wounds from developing an infection. In case you have had minimally invasive surgery, your doctors may require you to walk on the first or second day of your operation. Initially, you may feel some discomfort and pain while using your legs. You will also notice some swelling. A physiotherapist will show you exercises to strengthen your hips before discharge. They will also provide all necessary precautions and advice about what you can do after the surgery. Then they will inform you about the positions to avoid to prevent any damage. Medications to help you ease the pain, and prevent blood clots, and infections from developing will be prescribed.
In the first few days, you are likely to feel very tired. It can take up to 6 weeks for you to return to normal activities. You will definitely need someone to assist you for a couple of weeks. You will also need to follow the daily exercise routine set by your physiotherapist to ensure a full recovery.
Physical Therapy After Hip Replacement
Physical therapy is an important aspect of your recovery after getting hip replacement surgery. A physiotherapist will be walking you through the process from day one until your final follow-up. Physical therapy not only helps you in reducing pain but also helps you strengthen your muscles and achieve normal movement. At our clinic, we provide the best physical therapy treatment for people recovering from hip replacement surgery. We have helped dozens of people recover successfully. We often notice that patients who properly follow the advice of the physiotherapist recover significantly better.
Most people will have specific precautions after surgery. An exercise program will be provided to help improve your range of motion and swelling. You will also learn how to properly get out of bed, stand, and walk independently with a supportive device. As your pain and swelling improve, walking and other exercises will improve the range of motion.
After a few weeks, other exercises will reduce your dependency on the assistive equipment and help you gradually gain full strength and mobility. Once you are confident that your doctor and physiotherapist have fully recovered, you are free to continue your normal work and exercise.
Are you looking for hip joint replacement physical therapy in Delray Beach? We are here to provide you with expert physiotherapy services through well-trained and experienced physiotherapists.
