You’ve Had A Hip Replacement, Now What?
Leave a CommentIt is estimated that physicians perform 350,000 hip replacement surgeries in the US every year. There are two main types of replacements that are performed: Anterior hip replacement & Posterior hip replacements. Both of these surgeries have the same results, but the recovery process differs for each.
Anterior hip replacements require a special table to help position a patient and require additional training. This method tends to cause less muscle damage as muscles are moved rather than cut through.
Posterior hip replacements are the tried-and-true method that has been used for much longer. This method does come with some incisions during surgery, which leads to additional restrictions such as:
- Do not bend your leg past 90 degrees
- No twisting your leg while standing (internal rotation)
- No crossing your legs or feet
These restrictions are likely not permanent. Most doctors may provide clearance to start doing these after 4-6 weeks.
So, you just had surgery; what is next? You will have physical therapy at home, or your doctor will send you for outpatient physical therapy, likely the day after your surgery. Physical therapy can assist with many aspects of recovery. Athletico offers outpatient and in-home services if you wish to stay with a therapist from the start of care, as long as your doctor does not require nursing during that home therapy period.
Your first appointment will be an evaluation. Your evaluation will consist of your therapist getting to know your situation, determining your strengths and limitations, and developing a home exercise program to get you back to where you want to be. Therapy will consist of a wide variety of stretching to help regain your range of motion and strengthening to help you have the strength to perform your normal daily activities. Physical therapy typically lasts between 2-4 months.
If you or someone you know has recently had a hip replacement or has an upcoming surgery, contact your nearest Athletico to talk with our team about the recovery process. We are here to help set you up for success! Free assessments are available in-clinic and virtually through our telehealth platform.
*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.
The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.
