Life After Hip Osteoarthritis: Recovering From Hip Replacement Surgery
What impacts mostly middle-aged people and elderly patients? What causes pain and stiffness and is often described as producing discomfort in the groin or upper thigh area? What is one of the most commonly cited causes of hip pain, that can be aggravated by activity, and usually feels better with rest?
It’s Hip Osteoarthritis
This condition is also commonly referred to as degenerative joint disease of the hip. The same problem can affect the knees, the ankles and other joints as well. When hip arthritis is severe, a surgical procedure may be recommended as the best option for relieving pain. While you are recovering from hip replacement surgery, the physical therapy that is prescribed, will be imperative in your ability to heal and get back to a normal lifestyle.
What is Hip Osteoarthritis?
There are several different types of hip arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common. It is a degenerative disease, which means that it is the result of the slow wearing away of cartilage over time. Cartilage is present on the surface of joints and allows them to move smoothly because it cushions the bones that meet at a joint. When this cushion is damaged or worn out, the bones may grind together, causing pain and resulting in decreased movement.
If you believe that the symptoms you are experiencing are osteoarthritis in the hip, simply call Rothman Orthopaedic Institute today at 1-800-321-9999 and make an appointment to see one of our hip specialists. They can provide you with an exam and assess an MRI (if need be) in order to tell you what kind of condition you have and how it can be treated.
Recovering From Hip Replacement Surgery
Following hip replacement surgery, patients generally remain in the hospital for a few days. However, patients admitted to the hospital are encouraged to get out of bed and walk around. First, patients use the assistance of a walker to get some practice in with their new hips, but by week three or four, most people are able to walk without any help.
Most patients return to a majority of their daily tasks after six weeks of recovery, but expect it to take a full three months to fully recover. Your surgeon will be able to provide you with any additional instructions or restrictions as they relate to your post-op procedure.
To find some of the nation’s top surgeons for hip replacements, contact Rothman Orthopaedic Institute today. Call us at 1-800-321-9999 and schedule your appointment. Get on the road towards a pain free life!
