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Hip Replacement Surgery: Why Physical Therapy is Necessary Before AND After

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You’re scheduled for hip replacement surgery.

You’ve heard about physical therapy after hip replacement surgery, but are curious if physical therapy may be beneficial before your surgery.

The fact is…

Physical therapy before and after hip replacement surgery can help reduce pain and speed up recovery time.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the goals and benefits of physical therapy before and after hip replacement surgery.

Table of Contents

Should I Do Physical Therapy Before Hip Replacement Surgery?

Absolutely.

While your hip replacement surgery will take care of the joint problem, the surrounding muscles will need to be stretched and strengthened in preparation to properly support your new joint.

Starting physical therapy before your hip replacement surgery will give you a jump start on your recovery.

Physical therapists are movement experts who are specially trained to work with individuals both before and after hip replacement surgery to help them recover as quickly as possible, so they can get back to normal life.

Since each body is different, your physical therapist will evaluate your specific injury to determine a pre-surgery protocol that best meets your needs.

If possible, you will want to start your pre-surgery physical therapy around six weeks prior to your surgery date.

Suppose you don’t have the option of doing six weeks of pre-surgery physical therapy. In that case, any physical therapy sessions you can squeeze in before your surgery will be beneficial to your overall recovery.

On an interesting note, one study suggests that physical therapy can reduce the need for a total hip replacement by 44%.

Beginning physical therapy before surgery can help your recovery significantly.

What Are the Goals of Physical Therapy Before Hip Replacement Surgery?

Before your hip replacement surgery, your physical therapist will talk with you about what you can expect from your surgery.

They will work with you on stretching and may recommend simple exercises to get your body prepared for your upcoming surgery, such as:

  • Ankle pumps
  • Thigh Squeezes
  • Heel Slides
  • Straight Leg Raises; and
  • Lying Kicks

He or she will go over any post-surgery precautions you may need to take and will work with you on critical post-surgery skills, like:

  • How to use a walker
  • Navigating going up and down steps; and
  • Using the restroom

Your physical therapist will also be able to recommend changes that you can make around your home that will improve your safety and help your recovery, including:

  • A bed rail
  • A tub seat
  • Handrails on stairs
  • A raised toilet seat

The goal of physical therapy before hip surgery is to get your body prepared for the fastest possible recovery.

What Are the Benefits of Doing Physical Therapy Before Hip Replacement Surgery?

Physical therapy before hip replacement surgery can substantially increase a patient’s rate of recovery.

A study published in Science Daily revealed that individuals who chose to do physical therapy prior to joint replacement surgery reduced the need for post-op care by nearly 30%.

Physical therapy before surgery serves to:

  • Shorten the patient’s hospital stay 
  • Reduce overall recovery time 
  • Relieve pain
  • Increase stamina 
  • Restore range of motion to the affected area; and
  • Decrease the possibility of complications after surgery

If I Do Physical Therapy Before Hip Replacement Surgery, Is It Necessary to Have Physical Therapy After Hip Replacement Surgery?

One of the first things to take place in the hospital following your surgery is formal physical therapy.

Necessary after hip replacement, physical therapy sessions will begin as soon after your surgery as possible, continuing throughout your hospital stay.

However, to stay on the road to recovery and regain your hip’s optimal function post-surgery, you will need to continue physical therapy after being discharged from the hospital.

In Motion O.C. has extensive experience with physical therapy before and after hip replacement surgery, and our experts have the tools you need to get back on your feet as soon as possible.

What Are the Goals of Physical Therapy After Hip Replacement Surgery?

Physical therapy after hip replacement surgery is designed to get you back into the swing of everyday life as quickly as possible by helping you:

  • Regain your balance to reduce the risk of falling
  • Improve your range of motion through stretching and flexibility exercises
  • Restore full function to your hip through weight-bearing exercises
  • Stretch and strengthen your muscles; and
  • Get back into everyday activities, such as:
    • Walking
    • Going up and down stairs
    • Getting in and out of the car
    • Putting on your socks and shoes
    • Getting in and out of bed

Once your physical therapist feels you have mastered these skills, you will graduate to activity-specific rehabilitation in accordance with your personal and professional goals.

What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy After Hip Replacement Surgery?

Is physical therapy necessary after total hip replacement?

The benefits of having physical therapy after hip replacement surgery clearly point to a resounding YES.

Physical therapy after hip replacement surgery will aid in:

  • Restoring normal movement to your new hip joint
  • Increasing circulation and reducing the possibility of blood clots
  • Easing your pain
  • Reducing swelling; and
  • Strengthening the muscles in your hip

How Can I Speed Up My Hip Replacement Recovery?

The best way to speed up your recovery following hip replacement surgery is by having hip replacement physical therapy before and after surgery.

The Physical Therapists at In Motion O.C. Specialize in Hip Replacement Surgery Pre- and Post-Op Care

If you are preparing for hip replacement surgery, the Doctors of Physical Therapy at In Motion O.C. can help.

Our team of physical therapists is:

  • Board-certified
  • Experienced in the treatment of patients who are undergoing hip replacement surgery
  • Up to date on the latest research and equipment in the field of physical therapy

We excel at providing:

  • Client-centered
  • Compassionate; and
  • Personalized care

We regularly collaborate with referring doctors to help our patients heal quickly.

Get in touch with the professionals at In Motion O.C. today for your free consultation.

In Motion O.C.