Top 3 Tips for Total Hip Replacement Recovery and How Long it Takes
The recovery period following hip replacement is crucial. Hence, the steps taken during this period will determine your health and mobility in the long-run. Dr. Downer highlights the top three tips to ensure a successful recovery after your hip surgery.
1. Get physically active
According to Dr. Downer, all patients can get up and walk the same day of surgery. Most are able to resume full activities by 6 months of their hip replacement surgery. For the first 2 months, though, it is crucial to keep activities light, and avoid any strengthening or stretching exercises. This first 2 months is a critical time to take it easy, allowing the bone and structures around the hip to begin healing.
Dr. Downer suggests that “you start low and build up slowly.” Once you’re able to perform light activities, it’s imperative to integrate exercise into your recovery plan. This would also include gradually increasing your walking distance, standing up more, and climbing stairs. Movement is your key to a healthy recovery. Regular exercise after hip surgery helps with your recovery in several ways:
- It restores strength and flexibility in your hip
- It helps ward off blood clots
- It speeds up blood flow
- It helps you lose weight and keep it off. Being overweight puts pressure on your new hip implant and heightens the risk of complications. A healthy body weight accelerates your healing process and adds to the lifespan of your prosthesis.
2. Take a well-balanced diet
Dr. Downer states that surgery is a stressful phase. It triggers a catabolic milieu within your body, where your metabolism shifts toward breaking down molecules rather than building them up. This promotes inflammation, undermines your immune system, and increases the risk of post-operative complications.
Hence, to halt this metabolic “wear and tear” and smooth out your recovery process, Dr. Downer encourages his patients to maintain a healthy, balanced diet, before and after surgery. A healthy diet helps repair your muscles, allowing you to withstand the stress of surgery. On the contrary, poor nutrition prolongs the rehab time as well as makes you more prone to complications.
3. Prepare your house
Hip surgery negatively impacts your mobility and ability to accomplish daily tasks. To make your environment more amenable, prepare your household so that everyday items are within your reach without having you to exert too much. Make arrangements with family, friends, or caretakers to help you out with tasks like cooking, taking a shower, and running errands.
What is the average recovery time?
“The time to recovery from hip replacement surgery varies from one patient to another,” says Dr. Downer. Some patients recover faster than others. The average short-term recovery time is however four to six weeks. Long-term recovery requires complete healing of your surgical wound and soft tissues. It is indicated by your ability to resume all daily activities and return to work with no pain.
