What You Can Expect as a Patient with Hip Surgery

The primary goal after placing an artificial hip joint is to regain independent mobilization. On the first day after the surgery, you will have appointments with our physiotherapists who specialize in the hip.

Since you have to observe some movement restrictions with a hip joint prosthesis for the following six weeks after the surgery, you will first be explained what exactly you are allowed to do and which movements you should better avoid. The first mobilization to the edge of the bed already takes place after the circulation is stimulated and, if you feel well, a few steps on the walker through the room. If the treating physician has prescribed partial weight-bearing, this will, of course, be explained by the therapist beforehand and practiced together in a standing position.

Physiotherapy Shoulder Team
physiotherapy-hip-equipment

Safe Steps with Our Physiotherapy Staff

You will learn how to get out of bed on your own with your operated hip and how to use forearm crutches over the next two weeks properly. In addition, you will be given a targeted strengthening program that is adapted to the particular surgery. For hip patients, the focus is primarily on active hip flexion, stabilization of the thigh, and standing up. Climbing stairs is also trained at the appropriate time. In most cases, this happens during the second week of the hospital stay.
Due to the more common swelling to the extremities, manual lymphatic drainage is started on the second or third day after surgery. It continues regularly until discharge, which helps the leg draining the lymphatic fluid and reduces bruising more quickly. This is also part of the task of our physiotherapy.

Support in the Daily Routine

If you find that you need specific aids in everyday life (e.g., a gripper, aids for putting on socks, crutches, etc.), our physiotherapy staff can hand these out to you while still in the hospital. About twice a week, an employee of a medical supply store will come to our house to provide you with everything you need, if possible. In this way, you will be optimally prepared for rehab and become able to cope as independently as possible.
By the time you are discharged from the hospital, the goal is to achieve independent mobility on forearm crutches (or even a walker, depending on how mobile you were before), mobility of 90° hip flexion, and the ability to climb stairs. After the hospital stay, you will usually go to follow-up treatment, where further training will take place to prepare you for the daily routine at home.

What Happens After Rehab?

After the stay in the rehabilitation facility, it is recommended to continue physiotherapy in practice to improve any remaining muscle or movement deficits. It may also be advisable to have rehabilitation sports or water gymnastics prescribed.
There are ways to prepare in advance to support the recovery process after surgery. Suppose the doctor recommends a surgical intervention with hip replacement due to severe joint complaints and arthrosis. In that case, the surgical intervention usually never takes place immediately, but after a few weeks. You can use these weeks to train the muscles even before the surgery.
The attending physician can issue a prescription for physiotherapy to take up with a local physiotherapist. The physiotherapist will then show you specific strengthening exercises that build up the muscles so that you can get back on your feet better after surgery. Initial instruction in using crutches can also take place. You also have the opportunity to clarify any questions that may have arisen in the run-up to the surgery.

Physiotherapy for the Hip at a Glance

The therapy of hip patients who have undergone surgery is carried out according to a set standard but without losing sight of their individuality.
From preventive to rehabilitative – we offer our hip patients a comprehensive range of physiotherapy:

  • Hip replacement surgeries
  • Hip replacement
  • Hip arthroscopies
  • Hip realignments
  • Physiotherapy – individually adjusted to the particular clinical picture
  • Gait training or mobilization
  • Therapy, according to Brügger
  • Manual therapy, according to Cyriax and Maitland
  • Massage (Marnitz therapy, reflexology, acupressure, etc.)
  • Lymphatic drainage
  • Thermal therapy, cryotherapy
  • Electrotherapy
  • Elastik therapeutic tape