Hip replacement surgery can help reduce pain and restore an immense amount of function in your hip joint, but the replacement and recovery process are sometimes more laborious than some patients realize. It’s not uncommon for patients to have some complaints after the procedure or during their recovery, even if everything with their operation went exactly as planned. We understand the common complaints and know how to navigate the expected obstacles to a full recovery after a hip replacement, so we want to pass some advice along to any patient considering the joint replacement procedure. Below, we share some tips for navigating some common complaints that people have following their hip replacement procedure.
Overcoming Issues After Hip Replacement
Keep in mind that the vast majority of hip replacement procedures are successful, so don’t assume that things go wrong all the time. More often than not, your procedure and recovery will go as intended, but that doesn’t mean that the patient won’t have a few complaints along the way. Here’s a look at how we help patients overcome some of these post-op complaints.
- Pain – The procedure itself will not be painful because of the sedatives that will be used, but you will have some discomfort and even some pain during the recovery process. That is the simple nature of having a major joint replaced in your body. However, we will work with you to help lessen this pain and give you more control over your pain tolerance. Early movement, pain medications and targeted physical therapy can all help ease discomfort, but know that your recovery process will not be completely painless.
- Leg Length Differences – Some patients also find that the leg on their surgically-operated side is ever-so-slightly shorter than their other leg. This is not uncommon, but it may take a little getting used to. Some patients find that the difference is less noticeable if they wear a heel lift or an orthotic insert in one shoe.
- Slow Recovery – Recovery is going to be a months-long process, and it may not always be easy to see the progress you are making. It’s important to come into the procedure with appropriate expectations for your recovery. Know that it’s going to take some time and you have resources if you find any part of your rehab to be overly difficult. Talking with your doctor about your rehab timeline and your recovery goals can help keep your expectations grounded.
- It’s Hard – Restoring as much physical function in your new hip will not come easy, so again, come in with the right expectations. We always tell our patients that they’ll get out what they put in, and their hard work will pay off in the end. We understand that you may not want to go to all your physical therapy appointments or perform your home-based exercises, but its these efforts that will drive home your functional recovery. It will be hard, but we promise your efforts will be worth it in the end.
- Incision Site Issues – Finally, some people run into issues with their surgical incisions and the possibility of an infection. Dr. Botero and his team are always ready to help in the event that a post-op infection develops, but he follows thorough operating room sterilization practices and oftentimes uses minimally invasive replacement techniques to do everything possible to cut down on the probability of an infection. Post-op infections are rare, and they are even more unlikely when you trust your care to a specialist like Dr. Botero.
We can help you manage any issues you encounter during your hip replacement recovery, but we don’t expect there to be any major issues because of the personalized steps we take with each and every patient. For more information about our hip replacement techniques or the replacement procedure, reach out to Dr. Botero and his team today at (865) 558-4444.
