What to Expect from Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip pain can interfere tremendously with your active lifestyle. Even simple tasks like standing up, walking around, and sitting down can become difficult.

Hip pain can even cause pain in your knees and legs because of the way you walk, as you compensate for your hip pain by moving differently than what is normal for you. If noninvasive and minimally invasive pain-relief treatments do not work for you, your orthopedic doctor may recommend that you have hip replacement surgery.

Let’s talk about what you can expect from hip replacement surgery and where you can go to find out more about what can be done for you.

Expect Less Pain and Greater Mobility After Hip Surgery

One main purpose of hip replacement surgery is to reduce the pain you have in your hip. With less pain, you will be able to move with greater agility and freedom.

Naturally, you will have some pain immediately after your surgery, but this will subside and so will your overall level of hip pain. You’ll be given a prescription to help alleviate the pain while you recover from the operation.

You’ll Use a Walker While You Recuperate

You can expect to use a walker during the first few weeks after your surgery until you adjust to your new hip and as you heal. After a while, you can switch to using a cane until you can walk on your own without the risk of falling.

You’ll Have Physical Therapy During Recovery

After your hip replacement surgery, you’ll undergo physical therapy to re-teach you how to walk and how to move with your new prosthetic hip. The physical therapist (PT) will guide you until you are comfortably able to walk by yourself.

Your physical therapy may last a few months, and it is usually performed in the comfort of your own home. The exact length of time depends on your particular case.

You May Be Given a Temporary Blood Thinner

For a while after the surgery, you won’t be as active as you are normally. Therefore, you are at a heightened risk of developing a blood clot, because moving around helps to foster proper circulation. Your surgeon may prescribe either an oral or injectable blood thinner after your surgery.

Another effective way to help prevent blood clots is to wear a compression stocking. Your surgeon and/or physical therapist can give you guidance about this as well.

Hip Joint Replacement Surgeons in Baltimore, MD

If you are looking for an experienced orthopedic surgeon in Baltimore, look no further than the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland. Our medical team is adept at joint replacement surgery, and we will take the necessary steps to help you recover as quickly and fully as possible so you can enjoy optimum results from your hip replacement surgery.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons, contact us today by calling us at (410) 644-1880 or (855) 4MD-BONE (463-2663). You can also fill out our convenient appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you!