Six Tips for Recovering from Hip Replacement Surgery
Have you been dealing with chronic hip pain? Do you suffer from arthritis that has led to increased pain in your hip joint? When you suffer from hip pain, and you've exhausted all of the treatment options, your orthopedic surgeon in Altamonte Springs may suggest that it's time for a hip replacement. Hip replacement surgery is when the hip joint is replaced with an artificial, surgical-grade plastic that aims to alleviate aches and pain. When it comes time for recovery from this surgery, you will want to follow these tips for a healthy and proper recovery.
Improve Your Health
To position yourself for a quicker and better recovery from your surgery, you should consider improving your health before you go into surgery. Many people focus on losing excess weight to make their recovery process easier, as this can provide less pressure on your joints and make for a speedy recovery. Also, you should eat a balanced diet before you go into surgery to prepare your body with the right nutrients.
Ask for Help
Anytime you have surgery, whether you have inpatient or outpatient, you should prepare for your recovery by asking for help. Consider things like transportation home from the clinic or hospital, meal preparation during early recovery stages, and other tasks you need to take care of with limited mobility.
Care for Your Incision
During recovery, you will want to take extra care of your incision. You want to avoid getting your incision wet, so keep it clean and dry at all times. Changing your bandages is also essential for preventing infection that can be caused by dirty or old bandages. Make sure to follow all of your surgeon's directions when it comes to caring for your incision.
Keep an Eye out for Any Complications
Stay attentive to any complications that may occur as a result of your surgery. Although complications are uncommon, they will want to be handled quickly so that you can get the medical attention you need. Common post-surgery issues include excessive bleeding, abnormal aches and pains, or fluid leaking from your incision site.
Attend Physical Therapy
As you recover from surgery, you will likely be instructed to attend physical therapy sessions and practice exercises. These therapists will provide you with an individualized exercise regimen with stretches and movements that will help you regain your strength, mobility, and full function.
Listen to Your Body
One of the most important things to do when you are recovering from surgery is to listen to your body. You want to give yourself the time to rest and heal, so don't overexert yourself too soon. Take breaks, rest, and let your body fully recover and heal from your procedure before you take on too much.
By following these tips, you will properly recover from your hip replacement surgery without adding any further complications to the process. It may be difficult to take it slow during the healing process, but be sure to listen to your body and talk to your orthopedic surgeon in Altamonte Springs. Contact us to hear more about how we can help you manage your hip pain today.