People undergo hip replacement surgery in Mumbai for two main reasons: unbearable joint pain and limited range of motion. Hip replacement is an invasive medical procedure that involves replacing your damaged hip joint with an artificial implant. While the surgery can offer significant relief, it’s important to know the post-surgical precautions for a smooth recovery. Here’s a look at some immediate post-op precautions and long-term life adjustments that can help.
Immediate Post-Operative Precautions
Your new hip joint must be most vulnerable a few days after surgery. Here’s what you can do:
- Apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes several times a day to ease discomfort.
- Take painkillers as prescribed by your surgeon.
- Avoid bending too much, as it can cause a dislocated hip.
- Do not get involved in sudden twisting and turning motions.
- Walk with a crutch, cane, or other walking aids
- Lie down on your back
- Use a pillow between your legs for support
Your hip replacement surgeon in Mumbai will provide you with a detailed list of post-op instructions for a quick recovery.
Long-Term Lifestyle Adjustments
Although patients can resume their routine tasks once they get a green light from their surgeons, here are a few things you must follow for a lifetime to prevent implant damage.
i) Avoid High-Impact Exercises
Participating in high-impact activities, such as football, basketball, and other sports that put extreme pressure on your new implants is a big no. While your new hip joint is designed to offer comfort and restore your range of movements, they can’t handle too much stress.
High-impact exercises can weaken the implants, requiring corrective surgery. You should rather stick to walking, swimming, cycling, and other such exercises.
ii) Be Cautious of the Movements
Certain movements might place you at an increased risk of dislocating your new implants. For example, bending excessively, i.e. beyond 90-degrees is not recommended after hip replacement.
Likewise, sitting crossed-legs and twisting your hips sharply can shift your newly implanted joint out of place. What you can do instead is sit in higher chairs, use tools to pick stuff instead of bending, and move your entire body rather than just the waist.
iii) Avoid Slips and Falls
It’s important to move carefully so that you don’t end up falling. Falls can be extremely dangerous for patients who’ve had a hip replacement, as it increases the risk of fractures and joint dislocation. Here’s what you must to do to prevent slips:
- Use non-slip mats
- Do not walk barefoot on slippery surfaces
- Hold railing when climbing stairs
- Do not rush when moving
Maintaining Joint Health
Here are a few other tips that can help strengthen your hip joint:
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Maintain a healthy weight to avoid excess pressure on your joints
- Walk daily
- Indulge in yoga, gentle stretching, and low-impact exercises
- Practice good posture
Conclusion
When your cartilage breaks down, your bones rub together, causing immense pain and making your day-to-day tasks difficult. That’s when hip replacement comes to your rescue. The above tips will help strengthen your joint, reduce the risk of joint damage, and speed up your recovery post operation.
