Hip replacement surgery involves a doctor surgically removing a painful hip joint and replacing it with an artificial joint comprised of metal or plastic. After surgery, patients report significant pain relief and improved mobility.
Oftentimes, hip replacement is the last resort for people who haven’t successfully treated their pain and discomfort with other treatment methods.
Are you scheduled for hip replacement surgery? Are you wondering what the hip replacement recovery time for elderly people is? Here, we’re sharing everything you need to know about post-hip replacement surgery and how to make the most of recovery. Just keep on reading to learn more!
After Your Surgery
Recovery time for hip replacement surgery in elderly folks usually takes around three months. At the three-month mark, you should start feeling more like yourself and things will be back to normal.
Here’s what your first few days post-operation should look like:
- 1-2 days after surgery: rest, get assistance from loved ones, move carefully every thirty minutes to strengthen muscles and help blood flow
- 3-4 days after surgery: discharge from hospital, settle in at home, take medication, continue with assistance from loved ones or a caregiver
- 4-10 days after surgery: take sponge baths to avoid getting the incision wet, move carefully to help blood flow and healing, complete light exercises
You might be feeling achy or lethargic after hip replacement surgery, but it’s important to get the right amount of rest and movement to ensure the recovery process goes smoothly and quickly.
Some seniors choose to enroll in short term rehabilitation in order to help their recovery be as painless as possible. Read more at the link!
The Top Recovery Tips
Don’t be discouraged; there are some awesome hip replacement surgery recovery tips out there that will help you get back to feeling better. Check them out below!
- Move frequently, and adopt a light exercise routine.
- Monitor your diet and your weight levels; fill your body with nutrients that will work to aid healing.
- Make plans with loved ones and/or caretakers so that you’ll have assistance post-op.
- Be careful not to gain weight as this can put stress on your new artificial joint.
- Drink lots of water to nourish your body and help it flush out toxins so that you feel your very best.
Depending on your specific recovery, you may begin walking unaided after hip replacement in as little as a week or two. Just remember to take things slow and to be careful when walking, and then you’ll be well on your way to feeling more like your usual self!
Now You Know the Hip Replacement Recovery Time for Elderly People
If you’ve just gotten hip replacement surgery or if you’ve got your surgery coming up, don’t stress! Now that you’re aware of the hip replacement recovery time for elderly people as well as these helpful tips, your recovery will go smoothly and you’ll be back to feeling better in no time. Good luck!
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