Hip replacement surgery is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic surgeries. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more ...
Hip replacement surgery is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic surgeries. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
more than 285,000 hip replacement procedures are performed every year in the United States. Subsequently, the aim is to recover as soon as possible and to be able to get up and walk, and do the daily routines. These may be achieved through rehabilitation techniques.
The surgeons do agree that rehabilitation may start almost straightaway after the patient is settled into his or her room. It will help restore the joint’s motion and strength.
Usually, the patients stay in the hospital around three to five days after their hip replacement surgery. There will be a physical therapist and an occupational therapist as well to help the patient execute his typical actions and guide him to recover well.
The physical therapist is the one responsible with the mobility, strengthening, and walking of the patient. Physical therapy is a type of management you may need when health problems make it difficult to move around and do daily tasks. It may relieve pain, and as well as improve an individual’s physical function and fitness level.
On the other hand, the occupational therapist is more on preparing the patient on everyday tasks such as cooking, washing, and dressing among others. Occupational therapists use recreational activities, self-care, and work to increase independent function of their patient.
While in the hospital, the therapists will assist patients in getting in and out of the bed, walking with crutches or walker, and going up and down a step, and others.
There might also be some exercises that the therapists will introduce to the patient. However, these are just simple ones as the patient cannot do strenuous activities or put that much weight on his or her new hips.
To exercise regularly is good as it will restore normal hip motion and strength and a gradual return to everyday activities which are essential to recuperate. The orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend exercising for about 20 to 30 minutes, two or three times a day during the early recovery stage.
Also, in a hip replacement surgery, there are some guidelines that the surgeon or the therapists may discuss with the patientas regard avoiding dislocation of the hip and ensuring proper healing. Some of these are not leaning forward while sitting, no picking-up of things on the floor, no crossing of legs for at least eight weeks, no bending at the waist beyond 90 degrees, and several others.
Hip replacements do alleviate one’s condition, although it cannot be denied that there are complications associated with this type of procedure such as inflammation, pain, loosening of the implant, and metallosis. Metallosis is a condition in which metal ions from the metal-on-metal hip device may seep into the bloodstream, causing damage to other organs of the body. This prompted some manufacturers to withdraw their products from the market; among them is Stryker hip recall.
