pt Health Hip Replacement Program
Did you know you can receive physiotherapy treatment well in advance of total hip replacement surgery? It’s true, but many times patients don’t realize our physiotherapists can work to strengthen and prepare the hip(s) for surgery so you go into the procedure feeling stronger than you did before.
Explore our total hip replacement program and see what works best for you.
We understand the lasting damage caused by hip problems and encourage patients to discover our physiotherapy program which tends to meet both pre and post-surgical hip replacement needs including: pain relief, swelling, mobility, and strengthening exercises all of which are essential to a lasting recovery and a lifetime of healthy hips.
Factors Leading to Hip Replacement Surgery
The need for hip replacement surgery is generally caused by arthritis which is the breakdown of joints. Additional Causes May include:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis – a wear and tear type of arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post traumatic arthritis (following injury)
Hip Replacement Surgery Prevention
While hip replacement surgery may not be entirely avoided due to arthritic conditions and disease, you can certainly prepare for surgery by strengthening the surrounding muscles.
Some patients may also seek alternative treatments which include hip resurfacing, partial replacement, and injections. It’s important to speak with your physician concerning the alternatives.
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Treatment Plan
After hip replacement surgery you will be reliant on a walker to help you stand and walk. But rest assured it’s still okay to visit your therapist as soon as two to three days following surgery. Your therapist is prepared for your condition and most interested in minimizing your discomfort. At first, the primary goal will be to reduce pain while working on mobility using ice and IFC. Your therapist may also include massage to reduce scar tissue and encourage mobility in a relaxing environment.
Post Surgical Assessment
Along with addressing your pain your physiotherapist will conduct an initial assessment which is meant to observe your range of motion and level of strength including: gait patterns, sitting, standing, and bed mobility.
Exercise for the Hip
Your therapist will want to get the hip(s) moving right away. For some patients that might include riding the stationary bike, for others your therapist may guide you through some gentle hip rotations. As your treatment progresses, additional exercises will be introduced with the goal of strengthening not only the hip but your entire core muscle region as well.
Fractured Ankle Recovery Time
Your physiotherapy visits may occur as often as two to three times weekly. As visits become fewer, you’ll receive exercises which can be performed independently at home for ongoing maintenance. Overall, expect your recovery to last a total of 16 weeks.
Preparing for your Independance
Eventually, you’ll move onto to a home assessment in which an occupational therapist on staff may be brought in to provide additional guidance. The goal is to give you the tools to function independently following surgery without having to go elsewhere to find an expert. We have all the help you need in a single location.
Prognosis Following Total Hip Replacement
Prognosis is good following total hip replacement surgery as long as the patient adheres to their physiotherapy plan. If a proper treatment program is not followed, you are at risk for scar tissue development which can lead to adhesion and limited mobility.
Evelyn & Jeff’s Story
Four Hip Replacements Can’t Slow this Couple Down
Evelyn and Jeff celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this past summer and rejoiced in their ability to remain active despite both having dual hip replacements over the course of their marriage. And while it may not sound very romantic, Evelyn and Jeff have their new hips to thank for their rather active lifestyle. At age 60, Evelyn is a runner who often logs six miles every other day. While at 70, Jeff remains an avid skier and very rarely misses a day on the mountain.
Arthritis Leads to Weakening Hips
The couple’s hip trouble started long ago however. During childhood, Evelyn was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, a form of arthritis that worsens over time and affects people from birth. Jeff, on the other hand suffered from osteoarthritis made worse from his years of skiing those downhill slopes.
“I had two separate hip surgeries over several years, and before you knew it, Jeff’s doctor told him he needed new hips too,” said Evelyn. But that was years ago, as the couple tells it. “We got right into physiotherapy the moment the surgeon said it was safe to do so,” said Jeff.
Physiotherapy is Crucial to Recovery
“Physiotherapy is crucial for recovery, even though four months is a long time for anyone who enjoys being active as much as I do. In the end therapy was absolutely worth it. My therapist had me take small steps to recovery instead of the giant leaps I wanted to take. But my physiotherapist had a plan and we stuck with it,” said Evelyn.
We Make Physiotherapy Convenient
“Ten years ago, it was hard to get to therapy following my hip replacement,” said Jeff. I didn’t have the options available like so many do today. Evelyn had to drive me to my appointments at the hospital early in the morning before she went to work as a dental hygienist. “Inconvenient was an understatement,” said Jeff. “But now, with pt Health recovery programs available in so many locations, I wonder if my rehab would have been different. I had a few setbacks along the way because I was trying to rush the healing process.”
Today, the couple visit pt Health in order to keep their hips strong, saying, “It’s never too late to get treatment. If it wasn’t for keeping up with our flexibility and core strength, I’m not sure we’d be where we are today,” said Evelyn. “We have pt Health to thank for that.”
Coverage Options
At pt Health, we know that sorting out insurance paperwork can be time-consuming and confusing. We want your focus to be on getting well and staying well. With that in mind, we do our best to help you navigate through the necessary forms. We speak with your insurance providers and we’ll answer any questions you may have about your coverage.
- RCMP
- DND
- Canadian Forces
- Veterans Affairs
For any treatments that are only partially covered, you may be asked to co-pay the difference at each visit.