Hip Surgery
The goal of most hip replacement procedures is to alleviate hip pain because of arthritis. People with hip replacement surgery usually report an improvement in their ability to walk, work and participate in social and recreational activities following recovery.
Thomas & Bigler Knee and Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.
Recovering from Hip Replacement Surgery
The exact timeline for getting discharged from the hospital, resuming work, stopping pain medications, and resuming other activities following hip replacement surgery varies between patients. These are a few general guidelines:
- Patients shouldn’t resume work or other physical activities without getting doctor approval
- Your pain medications and hip function will determine when to resume certain activities, such as driving
- People with sedentary jobs can usually resume work within 4 – 6 weeks
- People with jobs that involve lifting objects, bending, or standing may need to wait for 2 – 3 months following the surgery
- It is not recommended to perform heavy manual labor
- Full recovery may take anywhere from 3 – 12 months
You should resume recreational physical activity, such as hiking, golf, yoga, and other sports only after consulting with your surgeon.
Immediately Following Hip Replacement Surgery
Most patients are encouraged to use a walker or some other assistive device within 24 hours of getting the hip replacement surgery performed. Physical therapist or nurse will teach you to move safely and protect your new hip as it heals.
Hip replacement patients generally remain in hospital for 1 to 2 days following the procedure. Some patients may be able to return home the same day of the surgery if their surgical and medical team feels it’s safe. People that need extra attention or don’t have home support may be transferred to a rehabilitation center or a nursing facility from the hospital.
Physical Therapy
Patients will learn stretching exercises from a physical therapist. This will help in:
- Speeding up healing by promoting blood flow
- Improving the ability to sit down, walk, and perform other activities
- Reducing the risk of long-term stiffness in the hip area by preventing the formation of scar tissue
Typically, physical therapy begins at the hospital. Most people need to attend outpatient appointments 1 to 3 times in a week for 6 to 8 weeks following the surgery. Hip exercises and stretching is encouraged following physical therapy.
Precautions Following Hip Replacement
The following issues are addressed during post-surgery precautions:
Range-of-motion
You may be advised not to bend deeply or cross your legs to prevent posterior hip dislocation. The thigh bone is pushed outside its socket in this condition.
Weight-bearing
Patients may be asked to use crutches or walker for 6 weeks or more. This is usually when there are concerns about the healing potential of the hip replacement. This gives time to the bone and implant to heal before placing too much pressure on it.
Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada and greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery.
Contact Board Certified Surgeons Dr. Bigler or Dr. Thomas at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board-certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. Contact the office today click here.
Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada