Rehabilitation after hip replacement

The hip joint is one of the most important joints of the musculoskeletal system. His injuries and illnesses are accompanied by pain and limit movement, and the solution to the problem is often surgery. A course of rehabilitation procedures, selected individually depending on the characteristics of the patient, helps to quickly return to a normal lifestyle after it. Their goal is to avoid negative consequences, eliminate the inflammatory process and pain, restore a person’s motor functions, teach how to use a prosthesis and live fully despite their health condition.

The recovery time depends on the competence of the doctors, the equipment of the rehabilitation center (handrails, ramps, crutches, etc.), the availability of the necessary equipment, and the professionalism of the staff providing assistance in the daily life of the patient.

General principles of rehabilitation after endoprosthetics

1. An integrated approach. The doctor uses not one, but many different methods. They do not replace, but complement each other; the procedures must be completed in combination. The following apply:

• physical therapy, the basis of which is a specially designed set of exercises;
• classes on rehabilitation simulators for mechanotherapy with biofeedback (simple sports simulators are not suitable for medical rehabilitation);
• drug therapy;
• physiotherapy;
• massage,
• individual sessions with specialists (psychologist, rehabilitation specialist, etc., depending on the indications).

2. Early start. The sooner help is provided, the more effective rehabilitation will be after hip replacement. The person will avoid a large number of complications and return to normal life as soon as possible. You can start exercising the very next day after surgery. Your doctor will give you precise recommendations.

3. Individual approach. The specialist takes into account not only the diagnosis, but also other data: weight, age, general health, physical capabilities of the patient, etc.

4. Consistency. The treatment program changes depending on the patient’s condition, gymnastics becomes longer and the exercises become more complex. If you do not follow the principle of consistency, and, for example, abruptly move from one type of load to another, you can only aggravate the situation.

5. Continuity. During the entire course, you cannot take breaks in treatment without indications.

If these principles are not followed or rehabilitation is completely abandoned, the ligaments may heal in a stretched position, the muscles may lose tone, and scars may form at the incision site. The consequences of such phenomena: bone fracture, inflammation of the nerves around the endoprosthesis, dislocation of the head of the endoprosthesis.

Non-drug treatments

With active movements of the affected joint, the pain only increases, so the first thing to do is to reduce the intensity of the load on the joint. Massage for coxarthrosis will help the patient relax.

Also, the patient (for the duration of treatment) should reduce the duration of walking and standing. If you can sit down, it is better to do so than to put stress on the sore joint.

It is important to follow this rule during working hours, when a person experiences the main load. It is advisable to use a cane when walking. When planning a long trip while standing, it is recommended to take a folding chair with you.

Additionally, you must completely limit yourself to lifting weights. If you can’t do this, you need to try to distribute the load on both hands.

It should be remembered that a complete renunciation of mobility will not improve your health either. Exercises for arthrosis of the hip joint, exercises in the pool and yoga will keep the patient in good shape (however, these procedures should not be performed during the acute period!).

Additionally, the following physiotherapy procedures can be distinguished:

Hip massage for coxarthrosis is applicable at any stage of the disease. This type of treatment is also effective before and after the installation of dentures and has general strengthening properties.

The procedure should be performed by a qualified doctor, preferably one who specializes in manipulations to treat diseased joints. Additionally, the patient can be prescribed a special massage, which is carried out with a stream of water.

The principle is this: a moderate stream at room temperature is manipulated in a circular motion for 5 - 7 minutes. At the same time, the trophism of the joints improves and tissue swelling decreases.

Massage helps the patient quickly restore the functionality of diseased joints.

Along with massage, the patient should take anti-inflammatory and restorative medications. After surgery, massage can be performed after the sutures are removed. During this period, the procedure relaxes the patient well, improves blood circulation, and strengthens sore joints.

This treatment method is safe and gives good results. There are no restrictions; it should be done as often as possible.

Thanks to improved blood circulation, cartilage tissue is naturally restored. The procedure can be performed at home using special devices if it is not possible to visit a doctor. The video in this article shows how to properly perform massage for coxarthrosis.

Hirudotherapy and acupuncture

Hirudotherapy and acupuncture for coxarthrosis of the hip joint can give good results; the procedure should be performed by an experienced doctor. In the first case, therapy is carried out with leeches, by suctioning the blood and reducing its coagulability at the site of the bite, it is believed that the nutrition of the damaged joint begins to improve and swelling and inflammation go away.

In the second case, using special needles, the doctor acts on certain points, replenishing energy flows, due to which mobility returns and pathological processes are suspended. The procedure can be supplemented with massage.

Physiotherapy

Considered an integral part of treatment. The duration and complexity of such exercises depends on the course of the disease. In the initial stages, more intense exercise is allowed.

A specialist prescribes a set of exercises to the patient. It is he who tells the patient how to exercise correctly.

Yoga is usually prescribed in the early stages of the disease. It is best to supplement it with classical exercises. The first lessons are conducted with an instructor, but later you can practice on your own.

The exercise therapy complex should be selected for the patient by a doctor.

It is necessary to remember the basic rules:

1. Gymnastic exercises cannot be performed sharply or jerkily. Movements should be smooth and the load should increase gradually.
2. At first, the number of repetitions should be small, usually 5-6 times are enough. When the patient learns to perform the exercises correctly and feels better, the number of repetitions can be increased to 15.
3. When performing exercises, you need to listen to your body, it will tell you exactly how to act.
4. You need to breathe evenly and deeply; under no circumstances should you hold your breath.
5. If severe pain occurs, the activity should be stopped.

Useful properties of the pool

Swimming for coxarthrosis of the hip joint has the same effect as physical therapy (most of the traction of the spine and joints is also performed in the pool). I would like to note that in water, a person does not feel the load so much, many exercises are much easier for him, at the same time, water perfectly relaxes, swimming strengthens muscles and bones.

Exercises in the pool help both in the treatment and prevention of coxarthrosis.

The moist environment in the pool also has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. In addition, exercise in the pool is good for losing excess weight, and this in turn will reduce the load on the sore joint.

Contraindications during the rehabilitation period

Self-medication and violating the basic principles of rehabilitation are strictly contraindicated - the patient must strictly follow the recommendations of the attending physician.

Each rehabilitation method has a number of its own contraindications, from pregnancy and fever to systemic blood diseases and malignant tumors. That is why, before drawing up a rehabilitation program, each patient at “Blagopoluchiya” is carefully examined by a doctor. He clarifies the presence of contraindications and only on the basis of these data selects procedures and their parameters.

Prosthetics

Hip joint prostheses for coxarthrosis help patients return to a normal active life. In the later stages of the disease, this method of treatment is the most appropriate, because it is no longer possible to restore the affected joint.

1. The operation is quite complex, and it is performed only if other treatment methods have not yielded positive results.
2. After a thorough diagnosis, patients are selected for an individual prosthesis that will replace the affected joint.
3. The rehabilitation period can last about 2 months. Recovery is most difficult for older people and patients suffering from excess weight.

A hip joint prosthesis for coxarthrosis will help restore mobility to a person and forget about pain and constant discomfort.

Treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint should begin as early as possible. This dangerous disease can cause a lot of discomfort and pain, partially immobilize a person, and even make him disabled. Physiotherapeutic measures will give results only if the disease is not at an advanced stage, when the patient can only be helped by surgical intervention. Physiotherapy will only help as part of complex therapy prescribed by a competent specialist!

Step-by-step rehabilitation after endoprosthetic surgery

1. Early postoperative stage (up to 20 days after surgery). The goal is to improve blood circulation, speed up the healing of sutures, prevent the development of complications (thrombosis, stroke, pneumonia, bedsores, etc.), restore basic motor functions (sit down, stand up, walk with the help of various devices). Our specialists help the patient do passive exercises, and if the patient has the opportunity, he performs some simple exercises himself under control: moves his fingers, bends and straightens them, swings his arms, rotates his feet, performs breathing exercises, etc. After 3-7 days, the exercises become more complicated, physiotherapy is introduced: electrical myostimulation, massage of the healthy leg. The patient is taught to walk again with the help of crutches or other devices, and to walk up the stairs.

2. Late postoperative stage (from 20 to 90 days after surgery). The goal is to train the muscles, restore their tone and restore range of motion in the joints. The recovery program includes massage of the sore leg, the duration of walks and the complexity of physical exercises increase.

3. Long-term stage (from 90 days after surgery). The goal is to restore the functioning of the artificial joint, restore freedom of movement, and normalize the patient’s health. Physical activity becomes more difficult, the patient is taught to independently care for himself and perform simple and complex everyday tasks. The main methods of rehabilitation are physiotherapy (laser, hydrotherapy, etc.) and exercise therapy, and there is no need for breathing exercises.

Risk factors leading to the onset of the disease

The likelihood of developing the disease increases if:

• Increased stress during sports, lifting weights, excess body weight;
• Hormonal or metabolic disorders in the body, circulatory problems;
• Anatomical problems of the musculoskeletal system: kyphosis, scoliosis, flat feet;
• Age;
• Passive lifestyle.

The disease is not inherited; risks, predisposing factors, and anatomical features are inherited. If among a person’s closest relatives there are people with severe forms of arthrosis, then visiting specialists and preventing diseases is vital.

Gymnastics after hip replacement

Rehabilitation after hip replacement is impossible without gymnastics. Physical exercise strengthens muscles, is an excellent method of preventing complications, restores self-care skills, and normalizes joint function.

It is important to observe the principle of gradualness and continuity, monitor your breathing, do not overload yourself, do not move through pain and do not self-medicate: exercises are individually selected by the doctor. If you feel worse, you should stop exercising. In addition to regular exercise and training on simulators, it is useful to walk, climb and descend stairs.

All employees create comfortable living and rehabilitation conditions for patients; the program is compiled individually and adjusted as recovery progresses. The architecture of the center is thought out to the smallest detail: all rooms are equipped with ramps, handrails, we provide crutches and other devices. Our staff is attentive and ready to help 24 hours a day.

Unconventional methods

Treatment of coxarthrosis can be carried out at home. It is quite possible to prepare medicines yourself. The price of such treatment is always much lower than purchasing expensive drugs.

Many people try to treat joint diseases with herbs.

However, treatment with herbs and lotions alone will not get rid of the problem. Traditional medicine methods are more suitable for preventive, complementary or stimulating effects.

For coxarthrosis of the hip joint, you can use the following recipes:

1. A small cabbage leaf is smeared with honey and applied to the affected area. It is advisable to cover the top of the cabbage leaf with film and a warm cloth. It is best to repeat the procedure before going to bed. The medicine is kept for at least 2 hours. The course of treatment lasts 2 weeks.
2. You need to mix 250 grams of celery root, 100 g of garlic and two medium-sized estuaries. The ingredients are ground using a meat grinder or blender and poured with 3 liters of boiling water. The mixture is infused for a day, after which it is filtered and consumed daily, 50 g. The course of treatment lasts a month.
3. You can prepare an infusion of Jerusalem artichoke, add a few tablespoons of honey to it, leave for 2-3 days, pour into the bath before bathing. Take a warm bath in a sitting position for 20 minutes.

Causes and signs of the disease

A distinctive feature of primary (age-related) coxarthrosis is its symmetry - joint damage is approximately the same on both sides. With secondary arthrosis of the hip joint, resulting from injury or disease, damage to the joints is often unilateral.

During the course of the disease, there are 3 degrees of severity. If other types of arthrosis at the onset of the disease can go unnoticed, then arthrosis of the hip joint of 1 or 2 degrees already has obvious symptoms, in which the gradation is quite clearly expressed:

• 1st degree – pain when moving (walking), involuntary lameness. Symptoms appear towards the end of the working day;
• 2nd degree – crunching in the joints, difficulty moving. With grade 2 deforming arthrosis of the hip joint, a person experiences pain throughout the day with any physical activity;
• 3rd degree - the leg on the side affected by arthrosis takes a forced position. The pain spreads throughout the body (sciatic area, groin, knee), becomes painful and constant.

The diagnosis is made based on the patient’s complaints and objective data: examination by a doctor, research results (laboratory and radiographic). Sometimes, for a more accurate diagnosis, additional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required.