Welcome to One Care Medical Center, an international orthopedic hospital in Coimbatore. My name is Dr. Salam and I am a full time practicing orthopedic surgeon in Coimbatore.
In this short article, we are going to discuss everything about recovery after hip replacement.
Typically after undergoing a hip replacement, you will get asked to start ambulation or walking at the earliest possible time. Your legs and hip joints during this time may be swollen from the procedure, however, it is better to start walking at the earliest.
Your physiotherapist will teach you how to walk and sit and also avoid certain positions that can potentially damage your new joint. If you are fit, you will most probably stay in the hospital for a period of 3 to 5 days post which your doctor will discharge you.
Once you get back home, you should not be surprised by the general tiredness or sensation of heaviness or discomfort in and around the joint. This is because, you have undergone a major procedure and some discomfort is bound to be there for a few days. Postoperative physiotherapy is a key part of recovery. Remember to follow it through.
The pain normally disappears immediately post-surgery, however, in the event, you notice any pain, swelling or redness do call up your ortho doctor immediately.
After your surgery, typically a follow-up visit to your ortho doctor will be recommended after about 12 weeks post the actual procedure.
You should be able to get back to driving after about 6 to 12 weeks post-procedure. Moreover, all other day to day activities should be possible from around this time.
Most hip replacements when done right can last the better part of 15 years on average. However, an important point to bear in mind is that revision surgeries are tough!. Not all patients are indicated for revision surgeries. Moreover, revision surgeries are typically affected by severe complication rates.
Thus taking care of your joint is of paramount importance!.
Some quick points to follow through are…
I hope you enjoyed reading this short article on hip replacement procedures. Do watch this space for more and keep sharing this article with all your friends and loved ones!
