How to Recover from a Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgeries are a big deal. A hip joint can be damaged for a multitude of reasons such as an injury from an activity or arthritis. During a hip replacement, the damaged sections of your hip joint are removed by a surgeon and replaced with a variety of parts made from plastic, metal or ceramics. The materials used in the operation are all based on the severity of hip damage. The end result of a hip replacement procedure is to help reduce any pain the patient may have while also improving functionality to the artificial joint.

Your hip plays an extremely important role in your everyday movements. Essentially, it is used to a certain extent for all the movements we make. Making sure you recover from a hip replacement surgery can also make or break an entire procedure.

Recovery methods

Getting a hip replacement procedure done is only half the battle; the other half comes in the form of recovery. The good news is that there are plenty of recovery options. Most hip replacement patients are actually able to walk within the same day or the next day of surgery. This means that you can resume any normal routines within the first few weeks after the procedure. This is the best time to establish and get a healthy exercise routine going. Light activity and exercise can help stimulate the bones around it as movement is essential to healthy recovery. Begin with light activates such as sitting and standing and progress your way to walking and climbing stairs.

Diet and weight

Lighter people tend to recover faster due to not having any additional strain on their hips and body in general. While healing, make sure to pay attention to your diet. Since you will not be moving as fast as you were before the procedure, this is the perfect time to set a diet in place not only for your hip but for your overall health in general. Excess weight can put stress on the new hip prosthesis and can increase the risk of complication even before you fully recover.

Common exercises to promote blood flow

There are many easy exercises you can do in the comforts of your own home to help ensure your recovery goes as planned. The last thing you want happening is the loss of blood to the lower half of your body. To prevent clots, regularly stimulate your thigh and calf muscles. Always stretch before doing any sort of activity involving your legs. While exercising, utilize exercises that allow a full range of leg motions to allow your body and hip to organically move with the repetitions. When you are confident enough, try walking with as little assistance as possible. This is a huge step to recovery as this can stimulate additional blood flow to the body and can help speed the process up as the movements are becoming more and more natural.

Take careful precautions when recovering from hip replacement surgery. Keep these critical tips in mind when you are going through the recovery process.

Request an appointment here: https://www.barbertotaljoint.com or call Matthew D. Barber, M.D. at (251) 410-3600 for an appointment in our Mobile office.