Everything to Know About Rehab for Hip Replacement Surgery
Hip replacements are one of the most revolutionary and successful surgeries in modern medicine. They enable roughly a half million Americans each year to return to the everyday activities they love without pain.
Hip replacement surgery requires several weeks of rehabilitation to ensure a safe and complete recovery from the operation.
We know you have a lot of questions when it comes to rehab for hip replacement surgery and joint replacement rehab, so we’ve compiled this useful guide to give you an idea of what to expect when you’re on the road to recovery in our Brook Stone community.
What Is the Rehab Protocol After a Hip Replacement?
When Do You Start Rehab After a Hip Replacement?
Did you know rehab for hip replacement surgery starts almost immediately? And that you’ll be walking the day of surgery? After you’ve had your hip replacement, physical therapists in the hospital will work with you to start walking again.
Why? The purpose is twofold.
First, it helps improve your success after the operation. Second, it greatly reduces your risk of developing complications such as scarring or blood clots.
Should You Rehab from a Hip Replacement at Home?
Some patients may be discharged home after a hip replacement, but this comes with its own set of challenges. Those at home will have the additional pressure of maintaining a household, fixing meals and trying to complete activities of everyday living—unless they enlist someone to help them on a regular basis.
This is one reason that inpatient rehabilitation at a skilled nursing facility in Pollocksville is an ideal solution. Many of our residents at Brook Stone are not here long-term; they are here for rehabilitation in order to learn the skills they need to be able to go home safely.
That’s why you don’t have to worry during rehab for hip replacement surgery: We take care of the mundane items such as meals and housekeeping so you can concentrate on your healing and rehabilitation.
When Will I Have a Hip Replacement Rehab Plan?
Once you are discharged from the hospital and arrive at our community, one of the first steps in rehab protocol after a hip replacement is for us to work with you and your doctors to create a plan of care. We’ll carefully follow this plan, making adjustments as needed depending on your progress as part of this rehab for hip replacement surgery.
What Type of Therapists Will Help Me During Rehabilitation?
Next, we assemble our team of therapists—physical and occupational—to work with you, following your treatment plan. This plan may change or shift based on your individual progress and your doctor’s instructions.
Rehab for hip replacement surgery will also focus on occupational therapy to help you discover new ways to perform everyday tasks. This is necessary because there are several things that you are NOT allowed to do after a hip replacement—and these restrictions can make it more challenging to return to the tasks you once did without trouble.
For example:
- You should not bend your hips or knees more than 90 degrees
- You should not cross your legs
- You should not lift your leg to put on your socks
Your occupational therapist will work with you to use adaptive devices to help you “relearn” how to do some of these everyday activities such as putting on socks or pants.
Why Do I Have to Use a Walker/Cane?
We’ve found that using a walker or cane is important in order to reduce the risk of falls and help your progress during rehab for hip replacement surgery. It’s important not only to teach you how to use a walker properly, but you must be fitted for a walker to ensure that your experience will be as safe as possible.
Our ultimate goal is for you to be able to walk without the need of assistive devices, but we will determine your needs on a case-by-case basis.
Will I Only Perform Exercises in the Rehab Facility?
We’ll be honest: Physical and occupational therapy does come with some “homework.” These are exercises that you should do on your own that will help your progress and ensure that your rehabilitation efforts are successful.
Your doctor will likely outline a specific list of exercises for you after your surgery, but for a general idea of what can be expected, you can review this information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Of course, you should not perform these exercises or any others unless you have direct instructions from your doctor and guidance from one of our physical therapists.
How Long Is Rehab For A Hip Replacement?
There is no one standard length because every individual case is different. However, recovery and rehab for hip replacement surgery can typically take around two to four weeks.
We have worked with hundreds of residents, and our goal is for them to return to their home and their loved ones as soon as safely possible.
Brook Stone: Your Source for Inpatient Rehabilitation in Pollocksville
We understand that rehabilitation is an individual journey, and everyone completes this path at their own pace. We embrace your victories and help you face challenges along that pathway to independence.
Not only do we offer an extensive scope of rehabilitation services, but we’re also family owned and operated. What does that mean? It means you won’t be dealing with a faceless corporation or mega franchise chain. You’ll be dealing with those who have a vested interest in your community.
Learn more about our friendly, compassionate staff, our delicious meals and how we can take care of the mundane tasks of daily living so you can focus on recovery. Contact us to schedule a tour. But hurry! Our spaces fill quickly.