One of the most common surgeries seniors are likely to experience is hip replacement surgery. This type of surgery replaces a deteriorated hip joint, helping seniors to regain mobility and reduce pain. Recovery doesn’t happen right away after surgery, though. Physical therapy services are a massive part of helping seniors recover because they’re able to regain strength, improve mobility, and get back to their daily lives.
Why Is Physical Therapy Important After Hip Replacement Surgery?
After hip replacement surgery, seniors face challenges with strength and mobility. They also need to prevent complications and improve their confidence as they move through their daily lives. Physical therapists work with their patients to retrain muscles and joints to support the new hip joint and to move naturally. Patients heal at different rates, but working with a physical therapist allows them to have an individualized plan to help them succeed.
Start Early but Focus on Safety
Many seniors start physical therapy before they leave the hospital, which can be a surprise. Starting as soon as possible with gentle movements helps seniors to start to adjust and build strength gradually. This type of healing can’t be rushed, so starting early makes it easier to recover.
Follow the Plan
Healing takes time, so seniors need to follow the plan their physical therapist recommends. Attending all appointments and following instructions is a huge part of the recovery process. Seniors also need to learn how to respect their bodies and respect their limits. Pushing too hard can cause seniors to experience complications and pain that they could have avoided.
Exercise Between Appointments
Part of physical therapy involves doing some homework in between appointments. The exercises that physical therapists recommend vary and help seniors to consistently make progress. Therapists may help patients do the exercises during appointments, making sure that seniors are doing them properly. Then they recommend a specific number or amount of those exercises to do daily.
Use Assistive Devices
Sometimes seniors need to use assistive devices longer than they might want to use them. Tools like canes, crutches, or walkers help seniors to have stability as they walk and allow them to maintain mobility as they gain strength. Using them properly and for as long as they’re needed is an important way for seniors to stay safe as they recover.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a huge part of recovering well from hip replacement surgery. Staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and getting plenty of rest allows seniors to have what their bodies need to heal. Celebrating the small wins along the way and keeping track of progress is a great way for seniors to keep their eyes on the target as they work through their physical therapy plan.
Every senior’s recovery plan is different after hip replacement surgery. Physical therapy helps them to slowly regain mobility and strength while they see how well they’re doing along the way. Every step forward is progress, even if that progress is a little slower.