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Hip replacement is one of the most successful surgeries in the 21st century. It can significantly reduce pain and improve hip mobility in patients suffering from joint diseases. During the surgery, the orthopaedic surgeon removes the diseased tissue and replaces it with an endoprosthesis made of metal, ceramics or plastic.
Approximately 959,000 people undergo hip arthroplasty every year and this number is increasing yearly. By using modern prosthetic models together with physiotherapy in rehabilitation centres, it is possible to facilitate and speed up the recovery process.
You can find out why rehabilitation is needed, what to expect from physiotherapy and which medical centres to contact in this article.
What rehabilitation after hip replacement do?
When the hip joint is replaced, the patient is fitted with an artificial implant that will eventually grow into the bone. The healing process takes a long time and a full recovery can take up to a year. During this period, the patient needs to adapt to the new joint, which may be difficult due to complex and unusual physical activity. For the first time, you will need to walk with a cane or walkers and use aids at home.
Rehabilitation with a physiotherapist aims to help the patient to adapt more easily and quickly. Clinics and centres that specialize in orthopaedic rehabilitation have programs created for patients after hip joint replacement. They include physical exercises aimed at developing muscle strength, flexibility and joint mobility. With their help, the patient can train in a safe environment to perform movements that he or she will use in everyday life – walking, standing up, sitting down, climbing stairs, etc.
Rehabilitation after hip replacement allows patients to:
Learn to move around painlessly;
Reduce the risk of movement stiffness by preventing scarring;
Speed up the healing process by stimulating blood flow to the thigh;
Facilitate and improve walking, sitting down, and doing household tasks by strengthening muscles;
Faster return to normal life.
Most patients visit the rehabilitation clinic 1-3 times a week for 6-8 weeks after surgery. However, even at home, they continue to do the exercises prescribed by the doctor daily. Moderate exercise is also recommended after the course, as it will keep the body in shape.
Also, doctors advise preparing the house in which the patient will live after the surgery. Usually, that includes:
Placing all the necessary things so that the person does not have to bend or stretch.
Handrails and chairs should be placed in the bathroom and non-slip rug should be placed to prevent falling.
The bedroom, kitchen and bathroom should be located on the same floor so that the patient does not have to go up and down the stairs.
Buy a cane, walker, gripper, sock aid.
Rehabilitation period after hip arthroplasty
How quickly a patient will be discharged from the hospital and how long it will take to rehabilitate depends on individual factors. In general, physically prepared patients who work hard on physiotherapy have a better chance of completing the course faster. At the same time, it should be understood that for the full functioning of the endoprosthesis it is necessary to adhere to regular physical activity and monitor your health.
Walking | Modern rehabilitation aims to get a person back on their feet as soon as possible. In many centres, under favourable conditions, the patient will be able to sit up or walk with support within 6 hours after the surgery.
On average, patients will walk with a cane for the first 2-4 weeks, and on the 4th-6th week, they can start walking on their own. |
Stairs | Most patients will be able to use the stairs in the first week with a cane. |
Driving | Many factors affect how quickly the patient will be able to get back to driving, such as the speed of recovery and the type of car gearbox. Driving is not possible while the patient is taking painkillers as they affect the reaction on the road. |
Sex | Usually, patients can return to normal sexual activity within 4-6 weeks after surgery. It is worth consulting with your doctor about which positions will be more comfortable and safe during this period. |
Job | With sitting jobs, most patients can return to it 4 weeks after surgery. Patients with more mobile occupations should expect about 2 months of rest. Those whose work is associated with heavy physical activity should discuss this issue with their doctor, as lifting weights can harm the length and quality of the prosthetic service. |
Preoperative physiotherapy – is it worth it?
Many clinics that specialise in joint endoprosthetics offer pre-operative physiotherapy. Experience has shown that this has several advantages for the patient.
Many patients who undergo joint transplant have long suffered from diseases such as arthritis, osteonecrosis, etc. Due to painful sensations, they did not move enough, which led to weakness and atrophy of the muscles, especially the middle gluteal and quadruple muscles.
Physiotherapy preoperatively strengthens pelvic and leg muscles, which will facilitate and shorten the rehabilitation process after surgery. Also while working with a physiotherapist, the patient can learn basic movement and self-care skills, which they will need after the operation. This helps to shorten the length of rehabilitation, which in turn reduces the cost of medical care.
Also, during physiotherapy, the patient can lose weight, which will have a positive effect on the adaptation to the prosthesis by reducing the load on the joints.
Surveys conducted at the Orthopaedic Clinic Valdoltra (Slovenia) showed that patients who had undergone pre-operative physiotherapy subsequently experienced less anxiety and had greater self-confidence.
Whereas previously patients had to stay in the hospital for more than a week after a hip transplant, today most patients are discharged within 2-3 days.
The efficiency of recovery after hip replacement
Patients who undergo physiotherapy after hip replacement receive these benefits:
Reducing the risk of thromboembolic disease;
Reducing the risk of joint dislocation;
Enhanced muscle strength;
Improvement of prosthesis fixation;
The increased service life of the prosthesis;
Increased patient mobility;
Easier to perform household tasks;
Improved quality of life through an accelerated return to active social life.
What can and cannot I do after hip replacement?
There is no universal answer to this question. Physical activity after joint replacement surgery is mandatory, as without it it’s impossible to restore normal function of the hip. The patient should discuss with his/her attending physician what kind of exercise is worth doing and which should be avoided. The doctor’s recommendations depend on the patient’s age, level of fitness, initial strength and mobility of the hip, and other factors.
In general, rehabilitation specialists recommend avoiding excessive strain on the hip and gradually introducing exercise into life. Preference should be given to light aerobic exercises – walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics.
To avoid joint dislocation, patients should not cross their legs or lean forward by more than 90 degrees..
Exercises after hip joint replacement
In foreign clinics, a physiotherapist working with the patient develops an individual rehabilitation programme for each patient. They are drawn up based on protocols and recommendations, taking into account the individual characteristics of the person.
Regardless of how often the patient visits the rehabilitation centre, it is recommended to repeat the exercises 3-4 times a day. This will allow you to train your body at a comfortable pace, without putting too much strain on the joint.
Exercises include physical training of strength and flexibility of all muscle groups. The earlier you start training, the better; but you should not overstress your body if it is not ready. Some clinics have accelerated rehabilitation programs where patients are discharged on the day of surgery. However, other patients are better off spending 1-2 days in the hospital.
What are the benefits of attending a physiotherapy course in a rehabilitation centre?
Patients who have undergone joint arthroplasty face a choice – should they undergo physiotherapy at home or in a rehabilitation centre? Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Rehabilitation at home | Rehabilitation Centre |
---|---|
Suitable for physically fit patients who have undergone the surgery well. | Suitable for patients who require additional specialist care. |
Slower rehabilitation course. | More intensive course, faster rehabilitation. |
One-hour appointments with a rehabilitation physician 2-3 times a week. | 24-hour support by highly qualified medical staff. |
Basic rehabilitation programme. | Opportunity to use special devices for rehabilitation. |
Training vital everyday skills in the comfort of your own home. | Living in comfort, no need to worry about everyday problems (cooking, cleaning, etc.) |
In foreign clinics, patients have an opportunity to undergo accelerated rehabilitation with the help of special devices that train the required muscles and joints with high efficiency and 100% safety.
Lokomat
Lokomat is a rehabilitation treadmill that uses robotic technology to ensure patient comfort and safety. While a person walks on a device, the “smart” exoskeleton supports their legs without placing too much strain on the hip. At the same time, the leg muscles train in the same way as on a conventional simulator.
AposTherapy
AposTherapy is a device that is used to reduce hip pain. It is used like shoes and trains the muscles of a person while walking. 98% of patients report that AposTherapy has reduced their pain and they have been able to cut down their painkiller dose by 58%.
AlterG Anti-Gravity
AlterG Anti-Gravity is a treadmill that uses a capsule with a modified airflow, which reduces the gravitational pressure on the body. As a result, the patient’s weight is reduced by 20% and they can train their muscles by walking without endoprosthesis loading. With the help of this simulator, it is possible to strengthen leg muscles and reduce painful movements.
Which clinics are rehabilitated after hip arthroplasty?
Romatem Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center (Turkey);
Medicana Ankara Clinic (Turkey);
Reuth Medical Center (Israel) ;
Levinstein Rehabilitation Centre (Israel);
Malvazinki Clinic (Czech Republic);
Klimkovice Sanatoria and Rehabilitation Complex (Czech Republic);
Laßnitzhöhe Private Clinic (Austria);
Münster University Clinic (Germany);
Carolina Medical Center (Poland);
Abromiskes Rehabilitation Centre (Lithuania);
Sarang Plus Clinic (South Korea);
Seoul National University Hospital (South Korea).
Resume
Rehabilitation helps the patient to return to normal life more quickly after hip replacement. It can reduce pain, increase muscle strength and flexibility as well as joint mobility.
Rehabilitation includes physiotherapy, which can be done at home or in a rehabilitation centre. Patients who are treated in the rehabilitation centre recover their normal mobility faster and have the opportunity to use such rehabilitation devices as Lokomat, AlterG Anti-Gravity, AposTherapy and others.
The length of the recovery period is individual. On average, during the first 4-6 weeks, the patient will be able to move around with a cane or a walker, and then gradually return to normal life.
Rehabilitation after hip arthroplasty is possible in reliable rehabilitation centres. MediGlobus team can arrange treatment in clinics in Turkey, Israel, Greece, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, South Korea and other countries.
Do you have any more questions about hip rehabilitation? The coordinating physicians of the international MediGlobus platform are ready to answer them! Leave your application by clicking on “Get a free consultation” and you will get a callback.
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