If you’ve been experiencing persistent hip pain, a total hip replacement might be the answer to your problems. It’s a common procedure that can relieve pain and help you regain mobility.
The road to recovery after a total hip replacement is challenging, but it is also worth it in the end. There are certain things that you can do to better prepare yourself for a total hip replacement and, in this blog, we’ll discuss them. So, read on to know about what you should do before having a total hip replacement surgery.
Stop smoking.
You may have complications after surgery if you are a smoker since nicotine affects blood flow and can slow down your recovery. Therefore, it is best for you to quit smoking to avoid complications and fasten your recovery after surgery.
Reduce your weight.
Prior to hip replacement surgery, your doctor may advise you to drop a few kilos if you’re overweight. Ask your doctor what weight-loss goals might be appropriate and how to achieve them. Your post-surgical difficulties, such as infection, may be lowered if you lose weight.
Muscle Strengthening Exercises
Exercising properly is key to a successful recovery from hip replacement surgery. So, learn some strengthening exercises for the muscles that surround your hip to boost your recovery.
Don’t Take Blood Thinners.
Stop taking blood thinner medications, such as aspirin and warfarin, a few weeks before the surgery.
Arrange Your Room On The Ground Floor
Avoid climbing stairs for 1-2 weeks after surgery. Make your arrangements to sleep on the ground floor if you usually sleep upstairs.
Get A Driver
After surgery, you won’t be able to drive a motor vehicle for a few weeks; the exact period will depend on how long you must take narcotic painkillers and when your full strength and reflexes return. So, make arrangements for a friend or family member to drive you.
Arrange The Walking Aids.
You will require a walker, cane, or crutches during your recovery period. Get the help of hospital staff to learn how to use these medical aids. They will be very useful for you to start walking after the surgery.
Adjust Your Bed Height
The height of the mattress is just as important as the location of your bed. To make getting in and out of bed easier after surgery, you should adjust the height of your sleeping position according to your convenience.
Plan For Comfortable Sitting
Arrange a sitting that is comfortable to sit after having total hip replacement surgery. A sturdy chair with armrests and a high seat is preferred. However, you are not required to purchase an expensive chair right away. You can use cushions to raise the seat’s level.
Be Ready To Use Cold Therapies
Get an ice pack so you can have cold treatment to ease your post-surgery pain. Always wrap a towel around cold packs. Keep in mind to limit your cold therapy sessions to 15 or 20 minutes to prevent any skin injury.
Install Railings And Grab Bars.
Make sure to install railings and hold bars to avoid falls on extra smooth floors such as in bathrooms or near stairs. To make bathroom activities simpler and safer, consider raising the shower chair and toilet seat.
Place Commonly Used Items Within Your Reach
Keep commonly used items in the kitchen, bathroom and other places at waist level. Don’t store essentials in cupboards or drawers requiring deep bending or squatting.
Set Up A Nightstand And Side Table
You will spend a lot of time sitting or lying down in your bedroom or living room after your surgery. So, make sure you have a nightstand or side table in the rooms where you will spend most of your time holding your most important items, such as a cell phone, pain medication, water glass, etc.
Conclusion
Now you know what you need to do before getting a total hip replacement surgery. You won’t regret it because you will have better relief from hip pain and walk again without any problems. However, you must remember that it will take time for you to recover from this type of surgery. But, you can speed up your recovery by receiving medical care, exercising, and making healthy choices. So, follow these tips to make the best preparation possible for your total hip replacement surgery.
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