Planning For Successful Post-Hip Rehab
Posted on: 2 January 2019
If you're planning to have a hip replacement procedure in the near future, you may be excited at the prospect of increasing your mobility while decreasing your chronic joint pain. However, much of what goes into a positive joint replacement experience will depend on your post-op rehab, including physical therapy and adherence to your surgeon's instructions. Read on to learn more about some of the ways you can set yourself up for success.
Develop Realistic Expectations
It can be easy to get discouraged with your progress if you have too-high hopes for your mobility immediately after the procedure. Even if you've already reviewed the likely progress checkpoints with your surgeon, it can be worthwhile to browse online forums and message boards to get a better idea about the range of experiences. By having realistic expectations of where you should be at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and even 6 months after surgery, you'll be more likely to remain committed to the rehab process.
Set up Support
You've likely already fielded offers of help from friends, coworkers, and family members. But for many, it can be tough to reach out and ask for help, even when others have shown they're willing to lend a hand. By asking friends to help you with specific tasks, whether going to the grocery store, preparing meals, ferrying your kids to school, or taking your dog to a vet appointment, you'll be able to take tasks off your plate while providing your well-meaning loved ones with a satisfying sense of purpose.
If you're uncomfortable coordinating this process yourself, you may want to ask a close relative to set up a webpage that allows others to sign up to make or purchase a meal for your family. These types of "meal train" websites can allow those who would ordinarily be too far away to offer in-person help to assist with your recovery in other ways.
Don't Skip Physical Therapy
At times, physical therapy can seem repetitive or overly simple. In other cases, it may be physically painful to go through the series of stretches and exercises your therapist has recommended. But sticking with a physical therapy regimen is perhaps the single greatest factor in a successful recovery. Without challenging the boundaries of your new hip early in the healing process, you're more likely to deal with side effects like stiffness, a limited range of motion, and even long-term pain.
For more information, reach out to a company like Northern Care Inc Prosthetics & Orthotics.
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