A Few Hip Replacement Rehab Tips if you are Over 60
Hip replacement surgery is one of the most invasive medical procedures in the medical world. Post procedure pain and limited mobility are to be expected. The good news for hip replacement patients is that a good rehabilitation regimen will increase their quality of life dramatically. An experienced and caring rehabilitation team will work with you to help progress as quickly as possible. Intuitively, the older a patient is the more careful they have to be post-surgery. Too much activity soon after may reduce the efficacy of the surgery and cause pain. Church Home LifeSpring would like to help you get the most out of your life post-surgery and we would like to impart a few hip replacement rehab tips if you are over 60. This advice, along with a good rehab routine, will help you get the most out of your life.
Be Proactive
A good way to prepare for hip surgery is to set up a visit to a rehab specialist in the weeks and months leading to your surgery. These sessions help you to safely strengthen vital parts of your body before surgery. Another advantage is that it establishes a relationship between the patient and the rehabilitation specialist. They become more familiar with your situation and get a better grasp of your needs and capabilities.
Improve Your Health
The best way to successful hip replacement rehab is to maintain your health before and after surgery. Maintaining a healthy weight lessens the stress on your body, especially surgically repaired joints. Proper nutrition gives you the energy and vitality to help you recover and thrive.
Don't Go Too Fast
It is important to work hard at your recovery but it is vital to remember not to go overboard. WebMD suggests that bending or pivoting on the involved leg should be avoided. Bending at the waist or crouching in the year after surgery should be avoided as well. It is important to ease into activities after surgery.
Preparing your home is another way to expedite recovery. A few practical tips will go a long way to aid recovery.
- Avoid stairs
Before surgery arrange your home such that you will not have to climb stairs. The act of walking up and down stairs puts a lot of stress on your hips and may be too much for your replacement hip.
- Remove trip hazards
Before surgery do your best to remove, or repair, anything that may cause a fall. Repair flooring, loose carpeting, etc.
- Control pets and young children
Pets and young children are full of life and they often do not know how to control their enthusiasm. Keeping them in control during your recovery will eliminate setbacks due to their behavior. A speedy recovery will have you back playing with them before long.
Your doctor and physical therapist can help you determine how your recovery is progressing and what activities are appropriate.
Every surgery is a big surgery and rehabilitation deserves respect. The preceding tips give post-hip surgery patients the best chance for a speedy recovery. The most important aspect of your recovery is rehabilitation. A good rehabilitation team will push you far enough to recover but never too far. Church Home LifeSpring is a senior care facility that also offers short-term physical therapy. We have the heart and expertise to help you with the difficult recovery process. Contact us to discuss your options and discover how our caring staff will work with you and setup a personal care plan. Hip surgery is a very difficult time in a person's life. Let Church Home LifeSpring take some of the weight off of you and your loved ones.
