A total hip replacement is an invasive or surgical procedure to repair the hip-joint by partly or fully replacing the original hip joint with prosthetic substitutes.

Total hip replacement surgery has become so common these days that chances are good that at some point you or someone you know will have hip replacement surgery. The most common reason is osteoarthritis, the age-related “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis that can be difficult to treat with medications or other non-surgical approaches.

After total hip replacement you may experience some things that may surprise you. For example:

• Despite having major surgery on the largest joint in the body, you may stand up and start walking on it within a day or two.
• You probably were only in the hospital for a few days.
• The improvement in the arthritic pain is usually noticeable right away.
• Despite all that, after discharge from the hospital, the physical therapy visits seemed to go on forever.

Generally patients after a total hip replacement do require formal physical therapy. Walking is the best exercise after surgery, beginning with short, frequent walks. The day of surgery, the physical therapist will get you out of bed for the first time. The therapist will help you walk with the help of a walker or crutches. Each day the amount of walking will increase as you can tolerate. Before you go home, the physical therapist will teach you how to climb stairs safely to protect your new hip.

Some essential and mandatory precautions patients should be taught after total hip replacement surgery and adhere to prevent dislocation, precautions are hip flexion above 90 degrees, endorotation and adduction across midline.

Physical therapy after total hip replacement surgery

• Physical therapy usually consists of a series of outpatient appointments with a physical therapist. These appointments usually take place two or three times a week for a month or more to help you work on strengthening, stamina, and balance.
• Physical therapy can improve strength and help prevent frequent complications, which include luxation and thromboembolic disease. Also, physical therapy increases the patient’s mobility and offers education about the exercises and precautions that are necessary during hospitalization and after discharge.
• Physical therapy quickly maximizes the patient’s function which is associated with a greater probability of earlier discharge, which is in turn associated with a lower total cost of care^.

Physical therapy at SOS PHYSIO

Physical therapy at SOS PHYSIO provides relief from pain and it also provides a better quality of life through the patients’ reintegration into social life. There are many physical therapy treatments such as Manual therapy & Active Release Techniques (ART) that have been shown to be very effective in treating this condition.

For more information- Contact your local SOS PHYSIO clinic.