How To Continue Therapy at Home After a Hip Replacement
Recovering from a hip replacement will take some time, but it will change your life for the better.Hip therapy exercises strengthen your hip, help you regain range of motion, and prevent blood clot.You will need to continue your exercises at home if you want a physical therapist to help you do them.There are a number of exercises you can include in your home therapy.If you notice signs of an illness, or if you have a blood clot, you should see your doctor.
Step 1: Walk every day to strengthen your hip strength.
Within a few days after hip surgery, you need to start a walking program.It is important that you do this, even though it may be painful at first.Make sure you start slowly by walking from one side of the room to the other.The longer the walk, the more you do it.You should start using stairs once you get more comfortable with walking.You can work on your hip motion with an elliptical or a bike.One exercise you can try is the monster walk, where you put an exercise band above your knee, and move sideways.This will make your life easier.Ask your doctor if you should increase your exercise length or frequency.Depending on how well you are healing, how extensive your hip replacement was, and your personal health, you may have limitations.
Step 2: The ankle pumps prevent blood clot.
You will need to keep your blood flowing in your legs and feet for a few days after your surgery.There are ankle pumps that you can use to help.Lying on your back is a good idea.Point your toes up when you raise your foot.You should lower your foot.The exercises should be done at least 10 to 15 times a day.Although these exercises are important for the leg that underwent surgery, it is a good practice to do them on both legs.
Step 3: Try to increase blood flow with ankle rotations.
ankle rotation is an exercise that helps with blood flow.You can either lie down or sit down.If you want to repeat the circles in the other direction, put your foot in a circular fashion four or five times.You should repeat at least 10 to 15 times a day.Combining ankle pumps with ankle rotation is possible.
Step 4: 10 buttock squeezes 3-4 times a day.
Your muscles and blood need to flow in your hip and buttock area.Hold for five counts to tighten your buttock muscles.Then, loosen your buttock muscles.This exercise can be repeated 10 times.The exercises should be done at least three to four times a day.
Step 5: Do knee bends 3-4 times a day.
A knee bend is an exercise you can do to help circulation.Sit with your legs out in front of you.Keeping one leg flat, slide your other foot along the bed as you bend your knee to the ceiling.Next, lower your leg.On the other side repeat.At least three to four times a day, repeat 10 times on each side.
Step 6: 10 straight leg raises on each side 3-4 times daily.
Straight leg raises can help circulation.Place your legs in front of you on the bed or couch.Lift your leg up off the bed.Hold for five counts.You should repeat this on your other leg.You should do the whole cycle three to four times a day.
Step 7: After your doctor approves it, do standing knee raises.
You can do more extensive exercises with your doctor's permission after the two to three days following your surgery.You can get your strength back in your knees and hips by doing standing exercises.Stand up while holding onto your chair or railing.Raise your knee as far as you can towards your waist.Slowly lower your knee as you hold it up for five counts.Go back and forth on your other leg.The whole cycle should be repeated at least three to four times a day.You should have a chair within sitting reach in case you get tired or fall during any of these exercises.Ask your doctor if you're ready to do new exercises.
Step 8: Hip abductions increase your range of motion.
Hip abductions work on the side of your hip.Stand up and hold onto your support.If you want to keep your back and body straight, raise your leg a few inches off the floor.Slowly lower your leg while holding for five counts.Do the same thing on your other leg.Three to four times a day, do 10 repetition on each leg.
Step 9: Hip extensions can improve strength and flexibility.
Hip extensions help your leg and hip move to the back.Hold onto a chair or wall while standing up.Keeping your back and body straight, raise your leg a few inches off the floor.Slowly lower your leg as you hold your position for five counts.Do the same exercise on your other leg.At least three to four times a day, do 10 reps on each leg.
Step 10: Make sure that your home is ready for your recovery.
You need to get your house ready for your recovery after learning that you will need hip replacement surgery.You don't want to have to deal with it during your recovery so you should plan this before your surgery.You may need to hire someone to help you for two to four weeks after you return home.Hip precautions will have to be taken for the first six weeks after your hip will be replaced.That means you're not supposed to cross your leg over the imaginary center line.
Step 11: You should put extra support rails in your home.
When you return home after your surgery, you will need some help to get around.You should put safety bars in your bathroom.Since you won't be firm on your feet, you will need extra support in these areas.The handrails on the stairs need to be secured.This is true for both the inside and the outside of your house.You should install them if you don't have any on the stairs.If you don't have handrails, you will need a walker or crutches.
Step 12: The bathroom should be secured with railings, a raised toilet seat, and a shower chair.
Extra safety precautions should be put in your bathroom.It is easier to sit down on a raised toilet seat.If you have mobility issues, you may need a portable urinal or toilet chair.If you want to sit down in your shower, you should get a plastic chair.Replacing your stationary shower head with a hand-held model will make it easier for you to rinse off in the shower.
Step 13: It's a good idea to get a firm seat cushion.
When you have a hip replacement, you will need some help sitting.You need a firm seat cushion for the chair that you sit in all the time.Your chair should allow your knees to be lower than your hips to aid in the healing process.Make sure the chair has a firm back support.
Step 14: Dressing aids will help you get dressed.
Since it will be hard for you to bend over and reach certain parts of your body, you will need some help getting dressed.You can buy a dressing stick, a shoe horn, and a sock aid to help with dressing.This will help you remove pants, socks, and shoes.These can be found in medical specialty stores.
Step 15: The pathway is cluttered in high traffic areas.
You will have a hard time getting around after surgery.You have to clear the way.There are objects in these areas that can trip you up.This also includes electrical cords, carpet edges, pet toys, and furniture.It's convenient for you to keep your phone, drinks, books, computer, TV, movies and snacks in an area near where you will spend most of your time.
Step 16: There are supplies for wound care.
You will have to take care of your wounds.Your doctor will advise you on how to take care of you.You need to keep stitches dry and clean at all times.After surgery, these will stay in your skin for about two weeks.
Step 17: You can stock your kitchen with healthy easy-prep foods.
You will need to eat the right things after your surgery.Light soups and broths will be the first things you need to eat when you return.You can start eating small amounts of food after a day or two.It's important to get lots of fiber so you don't get the effects of surgery.You need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Step 18: Before you go in for surgery, fill your prescriptions.
After the surgery, your doctor will prescribe a blood thinner for you.It is important to take blood thinners to reduce your risk of having a blood clot.You can get a prescription for pain medication to help control your pain after the procedure.Follow your doctor's instructions for using the prescriptions and get them filled as soon as possible.
Step 19: What happens when you have a hip replacement?
Hip replacement surgery removes parts of your hip joint that have been damaged.The deteriorated parts are replaced with artificial parts.The hip is one of the largest joints in the body.It can be replaced with metal or ceramic parts.
Step 20: Understand the causes of hip problems.
Hip deterioration can be caused by some conditions.Inflammation in the hip is the most common cause of this decline.Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the causes.Lack of blood supply to the hip is the cause of osteonecrosis.An injury.There are Fractures.There are bones tumors.
Step 21: There are symptoms of hip pain.
You don't know if you have issues that cause hip deterioration or if it's time to get a replacement.Hip replacement is a necessity for most people if their joint is bad enough to cause extreme pain and interfere with their daily activities.Hip pain that limits your daily activities are some of the symptoms.Hip pain can happen during the day or night.It limits your ability to move the leg.It's not possible to get adequate pain relief from anti- inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, or walking supports.
Step 22: Determine what activities are safe to resume.
If you have a hip replacement, you will likely experience less pain and be able to move your hip better.You will want to do your normal exercises again.Walking, swimming, golfing, biking, and some forms of dancing are all low impact activities.Even after you recover, high impact activities such as jogging, playing basketball, or playing tennis are not recommended.
Step 23: Talk to your doctor if you want to modify or add exercises.
It is important to do your exercises after surgery, but you don't want to push yourself too hard.The doctor can tell you which exercises are right for you.If your doctor or physical therapist gives you a therapy plan, stick to it.If you want to add a new exercise or change one of your exercises, check with your doctor.You might hurt yourself if you do too much.
Step 24: A physical therapist can help you do the exercises safely.
A physical therapist will be in the hospital after your surgery.They will show you how to do hip therapy.Consider working with a physical therapist in your home.This will help you recover.It is always best to work with a physical therapist.Ask your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist.
Step 25: If you notice signs of an illness, you should see your doctor.
You probably don't need to worry, but it's possible for your surgery incision to get infections.Immediate medical treatment is needed to help you recover.If you see any of the following signs, you should go to the doctor.
Step 26: If you have a blood clot, get immediate medical treatment.
You will be at risk of a blood clot after hip replacement surgery.You can prevent blood clot by doing recovery exercises.If you have a blood clot, you need to get emergency treatment.If you have new or increased swelling in your leg, go to the doctor immediately.