If you’ve been told that you’ll likely need a hip replacement procedure in the future, you may have an idea in your head how the procedure and your recovery will go. It’s great that you have a vision and goals for your surgery and recovery, but don’t be surprised if things go a little differently than originally planned. There are simply some things that patients don’t always realize about their operation and recovery until they’ve gone through the experience themselves.
With that said, we always do what we can to ensure patients know what to expect so that there aren’t any unwelcome surprises down the road. We want you to be as prepared as possible for surgery and the road ahead. Because of this, we try to touch on some aspects of the operation and recovery that can be overlooked by patients. Below, we look at five things that patients don’t always realize about their hip replacement and recovery.
What They Don’t Tell You About Hip Replacement
We want you to be mindful about all the potential roadblocks and challenges that you’ll face during your surgery and recovery. None of these challenges will be too hard for you to handle, but if you are aware of them ahead of time, you can be better prepared to deal with them. Here’s a look at five things people don’t always realize about hip replacement surgery and recovery.
- You’ll Be Walking Sooner Than You Think – We want to protect the hip area while it recovers after surgery, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be laying in bed for months after your operation. In many instances, you are up on your feet the same day or the day after surgery so that your care team can see how the hip is functioning during normal movements. You will have to pass certain movement tests before you’ll be discharged, so be aware that you’ll be moving soon after surgery.
- There Will Be Pain – We don’t want this point to scare anyone away from hip replacement surgery, because although there will be some pain and discomfort during the recovery process, odds are it will be less than the pain you’re currently experiencing if a hip replacement procedure has been recommended by a physician. We just want you to be aware that there will be times when you’re uncomfortable during your recovery, and that’s normal. Doing your physical therapy exercises and sticking to your pain medication schedule can help ease this discomfort and improve your functional outcomes during your recovery period.
- You Will Get Frustrated – You will have limited mobility and will be uncomfortable at times during your rehab, and that can get frustrating. However, keep reminding yourself that this is only temporary and the gains you are making during your recovery will help you become more physically active once you’ve made it through rehab. Lean on friends, family and entertainment options like books, crossword puzzles or movies when you’re starting to get frustrated with an aspect of your recovery to help put your mind at ease.
- You Have More Say In Your Outcome Than You Realize – Some people think that the success or failure of their hip replacement operation is all in the hands of their surgeon, and while they will do the heavy lifting during the procedure, it’s what you do during your rehabilitation period that will establish your total physical function. Take physical therapy and your rehab exercises seriously. The weeks after your procedure are a vital time for strengthening muscle groups and preventing scar tissue buildup, so don’t settle for good enough. Push yourself during this crucial period of recovery, and your hip will be better in the long run because of it.
- You Can Lean On Your Care Team – Our job doesn’t end once you’ve been discharged from the surgical center. We want to do everything we can to help keep your rehab on track, so if you have questions or concerns about any aspect of your recovery, please reach back out to our team. You don’t need to wait until your follow-up appointment to get answers or assistance. We want to be your resource for anything you need during your recovery, so don’t be afraid to lean on your care team even after you’re discharged.
For more information, or to talk to a specialist about your hip or knee pain, reach out to Dr. Botero and his team today at (865) 558-4444.
