It is no secret that hip problems are a major concern for older adults. In a lot of cases people do anything they can to avoid surgery, as the thought of going under the knife is terrifying to many. Most people wait until the pain and stiffness become unbearable before opting to go the surgery route.
The truth is, the sooner you bite the bullet and decide to have hip surgery, the easier the road to recovery will be. In fact, many seniors report immediate relief and improved mobility just days after the surgery takes place. Hundreds of thousands of people across North America have hip surgery every year and report successful recovery, improved mobility, and better quality of daily life.
First of all, you should definitely expect to experience some pain following your hip procedure. After all, it does involve taking actual bones out of your body and replacing them with a metal and plastic hip joint. The body is bound to experience some level of trauma after a procedure like that.
It is widely reported that the first 3 days following surgery are typically the toughest, and you will likely require some dedicated assistance. Even simple things like getting in and out of bed or getting to the bathroom will be a struggle. Many people that have experienced this surgery report the third day after is one of the most painful, as surgery medications have completely worn off, and heavy inflammation sets in. Professional home caregivers can be of huge assistance during the is time.
Immediately. You will be encouraged to get up and walk around on the same day as your surgery to facilitate the healing process. Walking is one of the best way to reduce post-op complications, by getting the blood flowing and preventing blood clots and severe stiffness. In some cases, patients are released from the hospital on the same day of the surgery.
It is important to begin the rehabilitation process as soon as possible to facilitate healing, but it also a good idea not to push yourself too hard. Taking it slow means less risk of excessive strain, which could land you back in the hospital again.
It is recommended to exercise in 20 to 30 minute stints at first, to ease into the recovery process. It’s all about finding the right balance to keep muscle strength maintained, and preventing the new hip joint from tightening up, without straining it. At the very least, you will need to demonstrate that you are able to get out bed and move around with a walker or a cane, before being released from the hospital. You will be given some antibiotics and medications to help prevent infection and blood clotting.
Before leaving the hospital you will also likely be given instructions on the best positions to sit and lie down to protect your new hip joint, and some simple exercises, like moving your feet up and down while flexing your leg muscles, that help keep the blood flowing and prevent stiffness.
Many people make a checklist of goals they would like to accomplish after surgery to help ensure they are staying on the right track. This list of goals and tasks should be kept simple at the start, and may include things like:
Hospital Discharge Services can be obtained from a professional home care agency to help with the transition from hospital to home. Once safely back home, in-home care services can be extremely valuable for assisting with recovery exercises and activities.
The first two weeks after surgery are the most crucial, so it is recommended to not push too hard before then. After the initial two weeks are up, an effective healing approach is to start getting back into regular routines.
There are several other things you can do to prepare for the healing process, and depending on overall physical health, some people may need to take more precautions than others.
Some helpful suggestions for improved safety and healing, may include:
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