Rehabilitation after replacing the hip joint: factors affecting the recovery process, possible postoperative complications, rehabilitation methods, diet

After replacing the hip joint, rehabilitation is important. You will learn more from the article.

Content

The procedure for installing an artificial joint (endoprosthetics) is quite complicated. But no less responsible and significant is the period of postoperative recovery, on which it largely depends on whether the implant will take root, whether it will become convenient, whether a person can return to a full life and free movement. After all, the structure implanted into the body, whatever one may say, is a foreign body, and in order to completely “get used to” with it, it takes time and, of course, efforts.

According to statistics, older people most often need endoprosthetics, for whom the recovery process is even more problematic. And the tasks of this period are quite complicated, since it is necessary to completely return the volume of loads on the limb, while the risk of complications and pain as much as possible.

Factors affecting the recovery process after replacing the hip joint

Recovery programs are purely individual, since the doctor is obliged to take into account many factors. So, first of all, the age of the patient is taken into account, which in turn also affects the tone of the muscles, and even on the general state of health. Also, the degree of complexity of both the operation and the reaction to it from the body must be taken into account.

Depending on the tone of the muscles, the content of primary loads is developed, which should gradually increase, become more intense. If, trying to quickly become on his feet and return to the free, without crutches or sticks, movement, the patient immediately tries to start with the maximum load, the case can only turn into a deterioration in the rehabilitation process, or even a violation of the healing of damaged tissues and organs.

Possible postoperative complications after replacing the hip joint

To check the general state of health and make sure that there are no possible reactions (inflammation or allergies) if the body rejects the implant, studies are conducted on the basis of general and biochemical blood and urine tests. “Problems” with the prosthesis itself are also possible, in particular it can shift either to shatter, and even partially lose functional properties. There is also a risk of developing various infections both in the joint itself and in the wound left after surgery.

Fortunately, statistics add optimism: postoperative complications are recorded only in 2.5 % of older people. Among the young, this indicator is even lower - only 1 %.

Depending on age

The terms of rehabilitation differ significantly for people of different ages. So, bone tissue in older people is noticeably weaker and thinner. This fragility of the bones slows down the regeneration process, therefore the recovery methodology is adjusted taking into account age -related changes in tissues and bones.

Young patients whose bone tissues are more durable, as a rule, become on their feet faster.

However, there are extra -growing recommendations that are acceptable for the operation at any age. There are not many of them, but they should be strictly performed. So, in no case should you immediately try to completely extend your leg, this will set an excessive load of the participating joint. Avoid any possible injury or blow, do not make sudden movements. The first three and a half postoperative months do not forget about the need to bandage your legs. Until you are confident in your abilities and, to the right degree of healing of postoperative wounds, as well as the insurrection of the implant (and this is at least 3-4 months), you should not get driving the car, steam in the baths.

Women during this period should forget about the existence of shoes in heels (especially hairpins!), Which reduce the resistance of the body position, create an additional load on the joint.

Before and after surgery

The rehabilitation period begins even before the operation itself. Realizing that in the near future, crutches will become your support, you should learn to use them, excluding the load on the sore limb. Stop additionally the muscles of the second leg that will take on an additional load. Attention should also be paid to the work of all the main systems of your body, strengthen them.

The first decade after the operation is probably the most responsible. The patient cannot yet get up, but even lying on his back should already begin to recover. It can be a little, from 10 to 20 minutes, using a special roller change the position of the knee joint.
Starting from the fourth day after the operation, doctors allow to turn, first to the side (of course, with a healthy, and not the operated side of the body), in a day or two on the stomach.
It is during this period that you can begin to make the first, most facilitated in relation to loads, exercises from an individual complex of physiotherapy exercises developed by the doctor. To help the vessels, the use of an elastic bandage will not interfere. If necessary, antibiotics and drugs of painkillers are prescribed.
Subsequently, within 2-3 months, the main work on recovery occurs. The loads increase, they are aimed at developing muscles, at restoring limb functions. A person re -masters such familiar and natural movements as walking, overcoming the steps of the stairs up and down. And here crutches help a lot, the development of which took place in the preoperative period.

Three months later, rehabilitation goes into the stage of gradual entry into the daily rhythm, returning to the usual everyday loads. During this period, the main task is a comprehensive complete strengthening of muscles.

Rehabilitation methods of replacement after hip joints

Like any therapeutic event, in the process of recovery after endoprosthetics, an integrated approach is used. Pharmacological effects, if necessary, is using antibiotics and analgesics, later vitamins are replaced by vitamins, the main place among which is given to drugs containing such useful and necessary calcium tissues.

Physiotherapy - an integral part of the rehabilitation process, since the action of such procedures is aimed at restoring not just the operated areas and their characteristic functions, but at improving overall well -being, stimulating the work of all body systems, and increasing muscle tone. It is precisely this is aimed at hydrotherapeutic and cryotherapeutic procedures, the use of magnetotherapy and electrical stimulation of tissues and muscles. In the event of swelling, laser therapy sessions help.
If necessary, additional fixation of the joint resort to orthosis, i.e. using a bandage. Such an orthosis “transfers” an additional load of healthy areas, thereby facilitating the patient.
Method kinesitherapy It suggests in the course of work on the return of walking functions to use additional tools to facilitate the process: crutches, canes, walkers or simulators.

Also, to improve blood supply and restoration of tissues, you can carry out massagebut only if there is no strong pain.

Where can you undergo rehabilitation after replacing the hip joint:?

The easiest and most affordable option is at home. This method is probably the most comfortable psychologically, because at home, where there is a familiar environment, native people and even walls, as they say, help, the patient feels calm and confident.

But several problems arise, and quite significant. Firstly, it makes it difficult to control the doctor, who is still periodically either to travel or call to the house. The same applies to a specialist-physiotherapist, the services of a massage therapist. A certain assistance can be provided by the availability of video communication, but not all of it are provided with it, and visual contact is not always enough, because tactile sensations are often necessary.

You can undergo a rehabilitation course in specialized clinicwhich is equipped with everything necessary for this. In addition to the availability of all the required devices, tools and simulators, the plus is also constant control by specialists who not only develop a complex of universal events, but also adjust it taking into account the characteristics of the patient.

The same set of services can be obtained in municipal clinics, and, importantly, for free. But among the shortcomings of such rehabilitation - limited time (usually in the state clinic, the rehabilitation course lasts no longer than two weeks), and often - a weaker material base, the absence of the latest new products.
And finally commercial rehabilitation centersready to provide you with a full range of services using super -modern equipment, providing not only comfortable living conditions, but also saturated substantive leisure. Here you are guaranteed polite circumvention and constant attention. Only one question remains - the amount of money that you can give for such postoperative restoration.

Diet during rehabilitation after replacing the hip joint

As after any operation, in the early days, exceptionally light vegetable soups, viscous cereals, low -fat beef or chicken chopped by a blender are recommended. Over time, new products are gradually added to the diet, but from all smoked, spicy, fried, pickled, it is still worth refraining, as well as from sweets. The efforts of the body should be aimed at restoring the hip joint, and not at the "war" in the intestines or stomach.

The average duration of full rehabilitation after the operation to replace the hip joint is about a year. Young patients go this way faster, older people - longer. If you do not have to stand for a long time by the nature of the activity, then you can start, as a rule, in 3-4 months.

And one moment. The restoration of the body will be much more successful if a person feels constant support and psychological assistance from relatives and friends.