Getting Back to Normal After Hip Surgery

Written By: Rachael Kaine

Recovering from any type of surgery is a time consuming and extensive process that requires a lot of patience, concentration and dedication. It will be much easier for people that have smaller, more limited impact surgeries to get back to normal, but for those that have procedures that immobilize specific areas of the body for periods of time, the recovery process can be much more serious. Hip surgery DC is something that many people go through each year, but the recovery process will be slightly different for every patient - the trick to getting through this period without problems is paying attention, doing what you are told, and not getting disheartened if there is a small setback or two.

Hip Surgery: Immediately After Surgery

Even though you will be required to stay in the hospital for a few days after having hip surgery DC, this is a chance for you to begin the recovery process. Surprisingly, you’ll be asked to get up and out of bed while you’re still in the hospital, but you’ll have access to a walker or other stabilizing device; your hip will not be capable of supporting your full weight for long periods of time yet. During the hospital stay, you can use medication to get through the pain, but not all patients find this to be necessary.

Once you can get into and out of the hospital bed on your own, you’ll be discharged to go home and continue your recovery process there. Driving is not allowed, so you’ll need someone to transport you from the hospital to your home, and since you won’t be able to stand or walk long distances on your own, you’ll probably need someone to assist you around the house for a few days, (or weeks, in some cases) too. This driving restriction will stay in place for at least a month, so make plans for assistance before having the surgery so that you have one less thing to worry about.

The Hip Surgery Recovery Process

The first step is to work toward becoming pain free as the surgical site heals. Hip surgery Washington DC patients will be working toward becoming independent again, which means being able to walk throughout their homes without pain, and even to make short outdoor walks, too. In the beginning, a walker or cane can be used, but the goal with hip surgery procedures is to allow people to move around on their own, without aids.

Long term goals for recovery include a total healing of the surgical site and the internal tissues and muscles. The total recovery time sometimes takes longer, but the goal is for patients to feel capable and “normal” after 6 months, with their mobility improved to the point that they feel better than they did before having surgery. During the recovery process, pushing a little further each day is essential, but trying too hard and doing too much too quickly can lead to re-injuring yourself, or even causing severe damage to the healing part of the hip… so listen to instructions and listen to your body throughout.