Hip replacement surgery is a common and highly successful procedure for seniors. More than 450,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
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For people with debilitating hip pain that’s not relieved with other treatments, hip replacement surgery is an effective surgical option. However, hip replacement recovery may take several weeks or months and requires proper care and rehabilitation.
If your aging parent is undergoing hip surgery, you may be wondering what their hip replacement recovery will be like and how long it will take to heal. Read on for tips on how to recover from hip surgery as quickly and safely as possible.
Most people who have hip replacement surgery experience dramatic pain relief and see significant improvement in their ability to perform activities of daily living, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. But it’s important to understand that hip surgery recovery can be lengthy. A successful hip replacement recovery will depend on your parent’s overall health before the procedure — and how well they follow the doctor’s instructions and rehab program after the surgery.
Your loved one will likely need help while healing. Some people may be able to recover from hip replacement surgery at home. Others may need to go to a rehab facility or may choose to recover at an assisted living community, where they can receive rehab services while getting 24-hour assistance and support with daily tasks such as bathing, walking, and cooking.
Your loved one will likely stay at the hospital for two to three days after hip surgery. They’ll receive pain medication and an antibiotic to prevent infection. Most people also receive a blood thinner and wear compression boots while in the hospital to help prevent blood clots.
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Your parent will be encouraged to stand and walk with assistance within 24 hours of the surgery. Being active soon after surgery builds muscle strength and helps improve circulation and prevent blood clots.
Physical therapy will start while your loved one is still at the hospital. A physical therapist will also develop a rehabilitation plan that your relative can continue to follow after they leave the hospital.
If your loved one is able to go home after surgery, it’s important to continue to follow a rehab program. Rehab will include a plan to help your parent gradually increase mobility by stretching and strengthening the muscles surrounding the hip joint. A physical therapy program will also help your parent gradually regain the ability to perform daily activities such as sitting, standing, bending, and climbing stairs.
However, in the first few weeks after hip replacement surgery, there will still be many tasks your parent won’t be able to do right away. They’ll need help from a family member, friend, or professional caregiver with activities such as:
A typical rehab program for hip replacement surgery recovery consists of 20 to 30 minutes of exercise two to three times each week for several weeks. The plan may include weight-bearing exercises and the use of assistive devices, such as a walker, until your loved one’s strength and balance improve.
Your relative will need to continue to follow their physical therapy program until they can perform normal activities of daily living independently. Most people are able to gradually return to normal activities in several weeks, but it may take months before they’re fully healed.
When you know what to expect, you can prepare. Although your parent will likely be able to stand and walk with assistance soon after the surgery, they’ll need help in the weeks after their procedure.
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Within 14 days of the procedure, your loved one will likely have the staples from their incision removed and they’ll be able to start showering.
After three to six weeks, they may be able to resume light activities, such as driving a car and walking without crutches or a walker.
Many people can return to normal activity 12 weeks after their procedure. It’s important to avoid overdoing it — and to expect some good days along with some bad ones. Sometimes, full recovery from hip replacement surgery takes six months and up to a year.
If your parent needs to climb stairs to get to their room, you may want to temporarily move them to a different room on the ground floor. You will also want to make frequently used items — such as phones, remote controls, books, and medication — easily accessible.
While recovering, your loved one may need a raised toilet seat, shower chair, and grip bars.
Plan and make meals ahead for easy and quick reheating or assembly. Soups, stews, salads, and sandwiches, or a simple of bowl of yogurt and berries are quick and easy options. Or consider meal service delivery options.
It’s important to tell your loved one to watch their weight. Excessive weight may put stress on their new joint.
Sources:
Erens G.A. “Total hip arthrosplasty.” https://www.uptodate.com/contents/total-hip-arthroplasty.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Total hip replacement.” https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-hip-replacement/.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Activities after hip replacement.” https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/activities-after-hip-replacement/.
Hip replacement recovery: What to expect
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