Strategies For A Quick Recovery After Hip Replacement Surgery
People with mobility issues and hip pain frequently opt for hip replacement to restore their quality of life. After hip replacement surgery, people can perform most of the exercises for a healthy life without having back and hip pain. In this article, we discuss the recovery period and what quality of life one should expect after hip replacement surgery.
A few tips for the best hip replacement
Following total hip replacement surgery, one should not expect a drastic change in lifestyle. There can be mild to moderate pain, and doctors may advise you to stay at least three days in the hospital. This time period can vary from one person to another and depends upon the patient’s health and fitness.
Day 1 (Surgery Day): After the surgery is performed, the patient can’t move without any help, and there can be mild to moderate pain. Patients are given painkillers to reduce the pain. A few hours after the surgery, most patients are advised to stand and take a few steps.
Day 2: Patients with the help of staff, helping them in day-to-day activities such as walking, sanitation, and hygiene. During this recovery stage, patients are helped with walking. Special exercises are also recommended for a speedy recovery process.
Day 3: On the third day after the hip surgery, there is a surge of potential pain and inflammation around the operated hip area. This pain is caused by the body’s response to injury (the surgery) by transmitting pain signals to the brain. However, huge measures and painkillers can be taken on the doctor’s advice to vanquish the pain and swelling on day three viably.
Things start to improve significantly after the third day, as the patients are advised to walk and perform exercises that boost the healing process. Continuously, the patient starts walking freely without support. After assessment, patients can be discharged with instructions and take-home medications.
Tips for a Faster Recovery
- A healthy, well-balanced diet that includes enough energy and protein to help muscles strengthen and heal the hips.
- Try not to take risks that might lead to falls and injuries. Accidental falls and slips are the primary reasons for hip replacement surgery. For safety reasons, any floor hindrances, such as uneven edges or carpets, should be taken out.
- Use a toilet seat adapter and a shower chair for a simple time frame in the bathroom and during the shower without disturbing the back or hip joints. Take care of the bathroom and shower floor. It should be non-slippery.
- The swelling of the hips and legs can be improved by putting a pad underneath the legs to elevate them during rest.
- Use a lift chair to keep the legs straight and underneath the hips.
- Keep the legs in a forward-oriented position and don’t bend too much while standing up, sitting down, and walking.
- Twisting of the hips should be avoided for at least a couple of months. This safety measure is for anybody taking part in sports, which is the place where twisting is probably going to take place.
- Try not to lift heavy weights or perform strenuous exercises until suggested by your doctor.
- Remember not to cross your legs while sitting.
- Practice safe sleeping positions until you are completely recovered.
Slow and steady is the best process in the hip replacement surgery recovery process. Follow all suggestions with faith, and you will soon be back to your normal life, minus the hip pain.