In a hip replacement surgery, a painful hip joint is replaced with synthetic parts to support the body. A hip replacement helps in improving mobility and reducing pain. It is usually performed when treatments like physical therapy, exercise, and medications fail to combat the disability and pain.
Some of the common reasons why hip replacement has opted include:
- Fracture
- Injury
- Tumours appearing in any bone that is a part of the joint
- Osteonecrosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hip joint osteoarthritis
- Childhood hip diseases
After undergoing the best hip replacement in India, you will have to keep certain hip replacement precautions in mind for protecting the new hip. Some of the measures that can be applied for safeguarding the surgical outcomes are discussed in detail below.
Hip Replacement Precautions After Surgery
Using a Cane or Walker
A cane or walker should be ideally used to avoid accidents due to walls as it could increase the risk of damaging or dislocating the new hip. Having a cane or walker naturally helps you stay cautious. Strangers in any public area will be less likely to jostle, startle, or bump into an individual using a walker or cane. Gradually with time, you will be able to decrease the dependence of walkers or canes.
Treating the Hip Pain
Adequate pain relief is absolutely necessary to deal with the excruciating pain. Uncontrolled pain could make it difficult for you to participate in rehabilitation exercises, resulting in chronic pain later. After surgery, your doctor will prescribe the necessary pain medications as well.
Few patients do not like taking pain medications as it could result in addiction or side effects. In such cases, having a dialogue addressing the concerns with the doctor can be very useful in minimizing the risks and side effects.
Planning Ahead
In the initial few weeks after the surgery, there is an increased risk of falling or feeling tired. Planning ahead could be useful in minimizing the risk of falls.
- A day should be planned in a way that minimizes the number of trips made up and down the stairs or even outside the house.
- Keeping all essential items like tissues, phone, and TV remote control inaccessible locations would also help in preventing mishaps.
Making Goals for Physical Therapy
To achieve rehabilitation goals, a good physical therapist is an absolute necessity. The therapist will customize the exercises in accord with the activities you have to engage in regularly. Patients, who take up physical therapy, are likely to recover faster as compared to those who do not.
Obeying Movement Restrictions
You will be given a list of things that you won’t be allowed to do after hip replacement surgery, including bending the knees or hips more than 90 degrees, crossing the legs, and so on. Such restrictions help in protecting the prosthesis from getting dislocated.
It is natural for you to feel like doing everything at once, but being patient is the key. Work in accord with the physical therapist and doctor for figuring out the correct balance between rest and activity. Gradually with time, you will start seeing noticeable results.
Comments