Hip replacement surgery can bring much-needed relief, but only once you recover. The good news is that you can smoothly glide through your recovery milestones with clear instructions and patience.
Here’s our Coastal Ortho hip replacement recovery guide — your blueprint for the first steps after surgery and your new, more mobile life for the long haul.
A smooth recovery begins long before the big day. Strengthening your body for surgery begins with “prehab.” Here’s what it involves.
We recommend starting an exercise program to build muscle strength and endurance. We design a routine based on your needs and mobility level that involves exercises like leg lifts, bridges, and gentle stretches to increase flexibility.
Gentle stretches and joint mobilization exercises reduce stiffness and prepare your body for the changes it will undergo post-surgery.
Long walks or cycling build stamina for post-op recovery, when walking becomes a standard part of your recommended exercise program.
Good nutrition aids in recovery post-surgery, but this isn’t the time for a crash diet. Instead, shoot for a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables. Staying well hydrated leading up to surgery keeps all your systems humming.
Mental and emotional readiness are part of prehab. Talk with our team about what to expect, visualize your recovery, and establish a support network.
The big day has arrived — here’s what to expect and how to prepare:
Our surgical team performs a final assessment before the operation and answers your last-minute questions.
We give you specific instructions about fasting before surgery and any medications you may need to take (and any medications or supplements you may need to temporarily stop taking prior to your operation).
During this time, the anesthesiologist may discuss your anesthesia options. Make sure you understand all your options, and are comfortable with your choice.
You may stay at our affiliate hospital, Cedars-Sinai, for a day or two after surgery, depending on your unique circumstances.
Our Coastal Ortho team has pain management plans, from medications to nerve blocks, to make you as comfortable as possible.
We encourage you to move around with assistance soon after surgery, starting with sitting up in bed and progressing to short walks.
Here’s how to ensure that your home environment helps, rather than hinders, your healing process:
Prepare your home before you return from the hospital, moving furniture, ensuring clear pathways, and setting up a comfortable recovery area as needed.
A shower chair can make bathing less strenuous and much safer. Grab bars in the bathroom also provide support.
A higher toilet seat or a toilet frame with armrests can make using the restroom much easier in the early days of your hip replacement recovery.
A walker, cane, or crutches provide the support and stability you need as you start to walk and move more.
Don't push yourself too hard. Aim for gradual progress, not rapid recovery.
Keep your incision clean and dry to prevent infections and promote healing. Always wash your hands before touching your incision.
Check your healing incision frequently for signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, or drainage.
Physical therapy is a crucial part of your recovery process. You’ll start physical therapy either in the hospital or soon after you return home to improve your hip strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, and these tips can help you reach the finish line.
Minimizing and controlling pain is better than reacting to it. We help you find what works for you. Avoid the temptation to overmedicate. Balance pain management with being alert and engaged in your recovery.
Consider drug-free pain relief options like ice, heat, massage, and acupuncture.
Staying active is important for maintaining your new hip joint’s function. Activities like swimming, water aerobics, and stationary biking are great for maintaining mobility without stressing the hip joint.
Listen to your body and gradually increase your activity levels. Engage in weight-bearing exercises only as recommended by your Coastal Ortho doctor.
You can help protect your hip replacement with specific lifestyle strategies:
For more information about a smooth recovery after hip replacement surgery, call Coastal Ortho in Torrance or El Segundo, California, today.