Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic injury are all main reasons for opting for a hip replacement. The goal of a hip replacement is to reduce pain, restore function and mobility, and let you return to most of your previous activities that your hip prevented your from doing.
Shortly after surgery, your physical therapist will see you in your hospital room. You'll practice getting out of bed and walking using your walker ore a pair of crutches. Exercises are used to improving muscles tone and strength in the hip and thigh muscles are to help prevent the formation of blood clots.
During your recovery, you should follow your surgeon's instructions about how much weight you can put down while standing or walking. After you return home from the hospital, your surgeon may have you work with a physical therapist for up to six in-home visits.
These visits are to ensure you are safe in and about the home and getting in and out of a car. Your therapist will make recommendations about your safety, review special hip precautions and make sure you are placing a safe amount of weight on your foot when standing or walking. Home therapy visits end when you are safe to get out of the house.
A few additional visits in outpatient physical therapy at Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center may be needed for patients who still have problems walking or who need to get back to physically heavy work or activities.
Our goal is to help you maximize hip strength, restore a normal walking pattern, and do your activities without risking further injury to your hip. When you are well under way, regular visits to Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center will end. We will continue to be a resource, but you will be in charge of doing your exercises as part of an ongoing home program.