Rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery made step by step, with recommended exercises, movements and sports.
Minimally invasive techniques commonly used for hip replacement surgery allow for improved quality of life and reduced pain, enabling shorter hospital stays.
Thanks to current surgical techniques, new prostheses and the Rapid Recovery method, patients nowadays can begin to get up and move with the help of aids on the same day as the operation.
Rehabilitation is essential for recovering full joint mobility and independence within the established timeframes.
It begins from the first day in the hospital and continues after discharge through a program of exercises to be performed at home and in the gym.
But what does rehabilitation involve?
Rehabilitation and physiotherapy exercises are a fundamental part of the physical and psychological care process to return after hip replacement surgery to a state of complete independence in a very short time.
During the first day the patient learns to manage, first with the physiotherapist or nurse and then autonomously, the ability to sit down, lie on their side, get up and go to the bathroom, using aids correctly.
What exercises are recommended?
The recommended exercises to be performed a few hours after the surgery are:
- dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot;
- static contractions of the quadriceps, gluteus medius, and adductors;
- bridge exercise;
- active mobilization within the allowed range of motion;
- transition from sitting to standing position;
- walking with crutches.
After just a few hours post-surgery many individuals are able to walk pain-free in the hospital corridor with appropriate support.
To regain proper walking function it’s essential to start walking immediately.
Within a maximum of three days individuals are able to ascend and descend stairs.
Once autonomy is achieved during postural transitions and walking, the treatment moves to the gym, based on the previous assessment.
This marks the beginning of the Individualized Rehabilitation Program with the primary goal of resuming daily activities such as dressing, washing, driving, stair climbing, etc., reactivating the musculature and achieving the highest possible degree of joint mobility.
Before discharge, a final physiotherapy assessment is conducted, and a protocol of exercises to be performed at home is provided.
It is crucial for proper recovery to maintain continuity in physiotherapy treatments.
The main rehabilitation exercises
The main exercises for a correct and fast recovery can be summarized into three categories:
- exercises for regaining joint range of motion, to reactivate the maximum opening and closing of the operated hip, which can be both active and passive;
- training movements for correct walking gait;
- workouts for lower limb muscle strengthening.
Stronger muscles allow for better and faster recovery. Therefore it is important to avoid sedentary behavior both before and after the hip replacement surgery.
The exercises should enable the patient to gradually resume everyday movements, such as:
- getting out of bed and getting back into bed
- walking without aids
- sitting down
- tying shoelaces
- going up and down stairs
- getting in and out of the car.
Movements and gestures to avoid
The post-operative period is delicate and every small detail must be taken care of for optimal recovery.
Therefore there will also be some precautions to consider upon returning home:
- remove carpets, doormats, or objects that may cause tripping;
- be cautious in the shower or in areas where the floor may be wet to avoid slipping;
- sleeping on the side is possible, but it is more comfortable to position a pillow between the knees to keep them slightly apart;
- avoid very low seating.
Additionally there are some abrupt movements and extreme positions that should be avoided or performed with caution to not compromise the full rehabilitation of the limb and to prevent dislocation of the prosthetic components:
- hip flexion with an angle greater than 90° is possible if the knees are slightly apart;
- internal rotation movements of the operated leg, if associated with flexion and adduction of the hip;
- prolonged walking on uneven terrain.
It is essential to remember that the “new joint” is relatively prone to dislocation until the muscles of the lower limb have regained adequate strength.
However, during the hospital stay, you will be trained to perform movements correctly.
Therefore, yes to walks, exercises, movement, driving, sports and intimacy, but with the approval of the specialist and with due precautions.
Throughout the entire process, it is crucial to follow the specialist’s instructions: il Dr. Vanni Strigelli will guide you step by step until full recovery.
