For knee replacement, full recovery often takes considerably longer than hip replacement. And having a painful hip can interfere with the rehabilitation necessary following a knee replacement.
Because the hip is a much simpler joint than the knee, and the surgery much more straightforward, it's generally easier to recover from hip replacement and may not even require formal physical therapy, says Daniel Riddle, a professor of physical therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Hip replacement surgery takes between 1 and 2 hours. It can also be done as an outpatient procedure for individuals who are in good health. Knee replacement surgery generally takes up to 2 hours but does take a bit longer than hip replacement. For most seniors, a 1- to 4-day hospital stay is likely following surgery.
Most hip replacement patients are able to walk within the same day or next day of surgery; most can resume normal routine activities within the first 3 to 6 weeks of their total hip replacement recovery. Once light activity becomes possible, it's important to incorporate healthy exercise into your recovery program.
However, even the most successful hip replacement is not immune to postoperative aches and pains, the most common of which are pains in or around the buttocks.
One of the most common serious medical complications related to joint replacement surgery is blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot in the leg and is called a deep vein thrombosis.
Most people will fully recover from hip replacement surgery within a few months to a year, but recovery times vary for each patient. Expect about one to four days of bed rest immediately after surgery, but physical rehabilitation usually starts the same day as your procedure.
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Many people can return to normal activity 12 weeks after their procedure. It's important to avoid overdoing it — and to expect some good days along with some bad ones. Sometimes, full recovery from hip replacement surgery takes six months and up to a year.
Shoulder Replacement. The surgeon removes the damaged or diseased part of the shoulder with a shoulder replacement, replacing it with an artificial joint. A shoulder replacement is considered major surgery and can have a lengthy recovery period.
Studies show that nearly 90 percent of hip replacement patients feel better and resume normal activity within a few months, and sometimes even weeks, following the operation.
The nerves that supply the knee run past the hip and are affected by the inflammation around the hip. Typically, both the groin and knee pain associated with hip arthritis dramatically improve after hip replacement.
Another pro of hip replacement is that the rehab is generally the easiest of all joint replacement surgeries. You're often standing up and bearing weight within a day of surgery.
You can expect to experience some discomfort in the hip region itself, as well as groin pain and thigh pain. This is normal as your body adjusts to changes made to joints in that area. There can also be pain in the thigh and knee that is typically associated with a change in the length of your leg.
After the operation and throughout the early stages of recovery, you will need some form of support when ascending or descending stairs, such as using the handrails and a cane. At home, your stairs should have some handrails or banisters already installed.
You should use the raised toilet seat for six weeks following your operation. comply with the hip precautions.
Gentle exercise is beneficial, such as short, gentle walks around your home and outside. Supervised physiotherapy, like rehabilitation programmes and hydrotherapy, can also help improve recovery in the weeks following surgery.
Swelling, redness, warmth, and tingling/numbness may still be felt around the incision site. Thigh stiffness and mild knee pain may be present. Patients continue their home exercises, daily walking, and medication regime.
As part of hip replacement, the soft tissues surrounding the joint must be stretched to the appropriate tightness to ensure that the joint stays in place. That can result in a slightly longer leg length. It is usually a matter of a few millimeters, and many people don't notice it.
Lifetime Precautions
Don't sit in deep or low chairs if they will result in a high knee position. Avoid twisting motions: Certain movements can increase the risk of dislocation. Examples include crossing your legs, pivoting, or walking with your toes turned in.