What is Normal Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery?
A hip replacement is a common, effective procedure that eases chronic hip pain and lets people move freely again. But just because it's a common and effective operation doesn't mean that what happens afterward is always well understood. Many people do not know about the post-operative period and what happens in the first few weeks after surgery when, typically, you have an incision that has not yet healed and a hip that has not yet regained its full range of motion.
This blog will discuss what constitutes normal post-operative pain, when to seek medical advice, and how Woodstock physical therapy can help you manage and reduce pain during your recovery.
Is Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery Normal?
Experiencing post-operative pain following hip replacement surgery is quite natural. Following the procedure, it's normal to feel discomfort, especially around the incision site. This ache is merely the body's signal that the healing process has commenced and the wound is on its way to healing.
The muscles operating in the hip region may also feel sore. Swelling and stiffness are normal reactions to any incision and contribute to pain.
How Long Should You Experience Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery?
Generally, pain after hip replacement surgery may take a couple of months to resolve. The peak discomfort seems to happen a few days post-op. As you move into the first few weeks of healing following hip replacement surgery, you should expect the pain to start decreasing.
Physical therapy will commence during this period to help you move about more. You will be on the path to a completely new hip with some consistent effort. However, don’t expect the first month to offer much of very good comfort. You should be reaching a maximum point of benefit by the third month.
Following through with your physical therapy sessions and exercises can reduce the likelihood of your treatment failing. It can help prevent scar tissue formation, which may hinder your progress.
What is Abnormal Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery?
Post-operative pain can have several potential causes. Some of these are normal for the situation and are signs that the body is healing. However, if pain increases or certain other symptoms accompany it, they may indicate more serious problems.
You should seek medical help if you experience severe pain, warmth around your incision, or fever. It could be a sign of a complication.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Manage Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery?
For many people, physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process after undergoing hip replacement surgery. Failing to carry out or improperly conducting the rehab exercises could result in stiffness, weakness, and even chronic pain. On the other hand, doing the exercises and following the rehabilitation program properly could lead to a much better range of motion and a significant reduction in post-operative pain.
Physical therapy techniques that can help with post-operative pain include;
Ice and Heat Therapy
Ice therapy can help reduce pain and swelling early in your recovery. This therapy involves applying ice to your hip area to numb and reduce inflammation. Your therapist will not apply heat therapy at the same time as ice - this treatment is used later in your recovery to relax your muscles. It also improves blood circulation and reduces stiffness.
Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises
ROM exercises can improve hip stiffness and limited flexibility. Gradually, your therapist will introduce exercises such as leg lifts, mini-squats, and step-ups. If the exercise is not painful, they may also use resistance bands, light weights, or your body weight to reduce the stress on your hip joint.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a hands-on technique performed by a physical therapist. Having one-on-one time with the physical therapist following the surgery is really important. They will use soft tissue massage, stretching, and certain joint mobilizations. The main goal is to reduce the pain (especially if it's localized) and stiffness around the surgical site, which tends to happen post-surgery.
Gait Training
Gait training ensures you distribute weight evenly across your legs to reduce undue stress on your hip joint. Your physical therapist will also assess your walking pattern and gait. They will correct noticeable abnormalities. You may also undergo training with assistive devices like crutches or walkers till you can walk independently.
Balance Exercises
A few methods exist for improving one's balance. One is to perform traditional balance exercises, such as standing on one leg with your arms crossed over your chest (if you're right-handed, cross your left arm over your right), and have someone time you for 30 seconds. Go ahead and try the same thing using the other leg. Next, cross your right arm over your left (if you're left-handed, this is your right). And finally, try the same thing with your eyes closed (standing on either leg while timed).
Electrical Stimulation
Hip pain can also subside with electrical stimulation. The treatment sends mild electrical pulses through your tissues to reduce pain and swelling. Your therapist will place electrodes on the painful region in your body and use a unit to control them. As the unit sends electrical current through the electrodes, it will enter your muscles and cause a contraction.
Education
Even after receiving treatment at the clinic, you must continue your treatment at home for full relief and prevent a recurrence. Your therapist will educate you on proper body mechanics and posture to maintain your new found relief. You will also learn how to modify your daily activities to prevent pain.
Conclusion
Feeling pain after hip replacement surgery is normal, but it should improve with time. As with any surgical procedure, there are expected outcomes regarding the recovery process. Knowledge is power, and understanding these outcomes can help you get through your daily life weeks after surgery and manage pain. Getting physical therapy at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers - Hickory Flat after your surgery can help speed up your recovery process and reduce your risk of complications.