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Strong, healthy hips are often taken for granted, but without them, basic activities like standing and sitting don’t come nearly as easily. A bad hip can seriously impact your life. It can even make resting painful.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) mentions osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteonecrosis among the most common reasons for hip surgery. It is estimated that over 450,000 total hip replacements are performed in the U.S. each year.
Traditional hip replacement surgery involves making a large incision and replacing the hip. As newer surgical methods are less invasive, they save time and money, in addition to shortening recovery time.
If you or someone you love is considering hip replacement surgery, keep reading to learn how you can turn your home into the optimal recovery space — including how LogicMark’s devices can play a role in the recuperation.
Why is Recovery from Hip Replacement Surgery Important?
The hips are the largest joints in the human body and require major surgery to replace them.
The process of recovery begins immediately after surgery and if the correct steps are not taken, you may delay your healing — or worse, end up back in the hospital. If, for example, you don’t do physiotherapy after your hip surgery, your muscles will grow weaker and scar tissue that limits movement will develop.
There is also a 0.2-10% chance of hip dislocation after a total hip replacement, and this risk increases for joint revision surgery (if you already have an artificial hip that needs replacement).
How Long Does it Take to Recover After a Hip Replacement?
It’s really important to keep your new joint moving after hip replacement surgery, and it’s normal for patients to be discharged from the hospital on the same day.
The average recovery time is between two and four weeks, but factors like age, level of physical activity prior to the surgery, existing health conditions, and other lifestyle factors all play a role.
Increasing physical activity before the surgery can help you recover faster. On the other hand, there are factors that will delay the healing process.
Factors that increase hip replacement recovery time
These factors can delay your recovery from hip replacement surgery:
Not being physically active
Missing physiotherapy sessions
Not preparing your home for post-surgery recovery
Overexerting yourself after surgery
Failing to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to heal
How Do I Prepare to Recover from Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip surgery can reduce chronic pain associated with conditions like arthritis and osteoarthritis. It can also improve your range of motion.
The days and weeks following your surgery, however, will ultimately determine how well you heal.
Here are some things you can do to ensure a smooth recovery process for you or your loved one:
Make changes to your home
To make your recovery as easy as possible, your home may require some changes. You’ll need to plan these out beforehand.
Even people who visit a rehab facility as part of their recovery will need to make changes to their home environment to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries.
Ensure your bathroom is safe
Most fall injuries happen in the bathroom, and it’s not hard to guess why.
A confined space with slippery tiles poses a fall risk even for healthy people with strong muscles— and the risk is far greater for someone recovering from hip replacement surgery.
The following items can make it safer to use the bathroom during recovery:
A raised toilet seat
A shower chair
Grab bars near the shower or toilet bowl
Nonslip flooring
If possible, bathroom facilities should also be available on the same floor as the bedroom, since climbing stairs is not recommended during hip replacement recovery.
Get rid of other hazards
To avoid accidents, all rooms in the home should be clutter-free. Remove throw rugs, boxes, and potted plants from the floor — along with anything else that can potentially cause you to trip.
Unfortunately, the list of hazards may also include kids and pets. As much as we love them, a child or a dog can interfere with the recovery process.
Stock up on supplies
Try to minimize trips to the shops during the recovery period. Between your physical therapy sessions and doing prescribed exercises at home, you or your loved one will still need to rest.
Stocking up on supplies — such as canned and frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, toilet paper, and soap — will free up time and ensure an easier recovery.
Focus on fall prevention
Fall prevention is extremely important for aging adults, and even more vital when older adults are recovering from surgery.
Physical therapy sessions coupled with prescribed exercises at home can help build muscle strength during recovery, which will help you or your loved one keep your balance and avoid falling.
Invest in equipment to simplify your life
Your doctor or physical therapist will be able to advise you on what to purchase to help you recover post-surgery.
You won’t necessarily need all the items listed below, but these are some common things that will help keep you safe and comfortable while you recuperate.
Medical alert devices
A medical alert device might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your post-op recovery. But it can be an invaluable piece of technology in the event of an emergency.
Even when you’ve fall-proofed the home, accidents can still happen. A medical alert device can help.
These gadgets can be worn around the neck, wrist, or waist, and serve as a direct line between a person in distress and emergency responders or caregivers.
There are even some medical alert devices that can sense temperature changes in the environment or detect when someone has fallen and automatically send an alert.
For aging adults who aren’t under constant supervision, these devices are priceless. They grant caregivers peace of mind and freedom, while aging adults get to enjoy some privacy while they heal.
LogicMark offers a variety of medical alert devices. Check out our product offerings, and find the device that will help you or your loved one get back on your feet — with the peace of mind that help is just a button push away.
Commode chairs
If it’s too costly or impractical to make the necessary changes to your bathroom — such as installing an elevated toilet seat or safety bars — a portable commode chair may be the solution.
These chairs can be moved around the home, providing safety and convenience when using the bathroom.
Mobility aids
Walkers, canes, wheelchairs, or crutches are great additions to your recovery plan. Speak to your physical therapist to find what works best for you.
How Long Do You Need a Caregiver After Hip Surgery?
Everyone’s recovery process will be different, but most patients will need help in the days following their surgery. A caregiver is a valuable addition to almost any recovery journey.
A friend or family member can fulfill the caregiving role, or you can employ a home health aide to help.
You or your loved one will likely need transportation from the hospital after the surgery, in addition to assistance with the following tasks:
-Daily activities like using the bathroom, bathing, and dressing. -Ensuring medication is taken on time. -Ensuring a home exercise program is followed. -Collecting and administering medication. -Changing wound dressings. -Communicating important information to healthcare professionals.
There is no set time period for which you’d require a caregiver after the surgery, but they are typically employed until a patient can start doing more tasks on their own or with the help of mobility devices and other tools.
Take prescribed medications
It’s not uncommon for doctors to prescribe pain medication and antibiotics after hip replacement surgery. Be diligent about taking these, and call the doctor if you experience side effects.
Follow an exercise program
Physical therapy doesn’t end after your session with the physical therapist is over. They typically give you a list of exercises to perform at home as part of hip replacement recovery.
A caregiver or family member may need to assist you with these home exercises, depending on the instructions you were given.
Find a balance between rest and recovery
Physical therapy can be exhausting. You’ll need to find time to lie down and rest in between sessions.
During periods of rest after your surgery, it’s best to lie on your back with a pillow propped between your legs. If this isn’t comfortable for you, your doctor or physical therapist will be able to recommend another sleeping position.
Where Can I Learn More About Home Care after Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery can be scary — whether it’s you or your parent having the operation. But LogicMark can make the recovery journey a little smoother.
Contact us to learn more about how our medical alert devices can give you and your parents the freedom and independence you deserve, even post-surgery.
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