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Are You Wondering What Comes After Your Hip Joint Surgery?

Millions of people today have orthopedic surgical procedures for replacing worn out joints. If you are scheduled for a total hip replacement surgery, you might wonder what will happen after it is done. For many patients, being able to walk again without severe pain is exciting. However, getting back on your feet starts with a few weeks of physical rehabilitation. Find out what you can expect when the physical therapist visits your room after surgery.

Starting Out Slow And Easy

In the first few days of recovery, you may be asked to do a lot of nothing. However, within a week, a physical therapist will visit you and help you to do some light exercises while you are in bed. These exercises may be painful at first, but extremely important for building up your strength. During your surgery, muscles are cut, causing them to weaken. Through physical rehab, you can strengthen the muscles that have been weakened by surgery. Because of your hip pain before surgery, you may have also avoided exercise, meaning your muscles will be tender more than ever during the first few weeks of physical therapy. Your physician can prescribe pain medication to help you deal with any pain associated your recovery.

Home Or Rehab Facility?

If you are elderly or you live alone, you may be taken to a nursing rehabilitation center for getting the care you need during the first weeks after hip surgery. By staying at a rehab center, you have the benefits of twenty four hour nursing care and on-site physical therapists. Getting back to your normal routine means you giving it your best during physical therapy. The pain can be tough sometimes, but you can do it by looking forward to walking again without limping or pain. You will be able to get up out of your chair without someone's help. Keeping these kinds of thoughts in mind can help you have the mindset best for getting through physical therapy after surgery. You can talk to your therapist and learn more about how to get around the pain of physical movement during rehabilitation, another great benefit of being at a nursing facility.

Looking On Down The Road

When you re-gain the strength in your leg and hip after a total hip replacement procedure, you may feel energized and excited. You may be ready to take on the world. However, taking it easy for a few months until you get used to your new hip is best. You can discuss with your doctor about the kinds of movements you should avoid for awhile. For example, you might not want to jump on your motorcycle and go mountain riding until you are completely recovered. For more information about rehabilitation, contact a professional like Nick Roselli Occupational Therapy.


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