Often people think that AFTER a Total Hip Replacement (THR) that they will just magically be good to go. Unfortunately that is not exactly the case as hard work still needs to be done. And please DO NOT let anyone tell you that you can just do it all on your own. On your own rehab tends to only get people so far, not all the way back or to where they want to be.
Why?
Simply because the majority of people do not have the drive push their body as hard as necessary or knowledge of when to adapt if “things” do not feel quite right. For many folks, like my mom for instance (who had a THR before I was a PT), does not like exercise or the feeling of soreness that sometimes happens with exercise. As a result she never pushed as hard a necessary to recover maximum motion of her hip or achieved satisfactory strength again. And by the time I became a PT, it was too late to right the ship so to speak.
What is necessary AFTER?
To work hand in hand with a rehab professional. Someone who knows the normal healing parameters and understands how and when to push a person and when to back off. They know how to guide a person through the soreness and reassure the individual that what they are feeling is normal and all good. And this rehab professional will be able to spend the time to answer each and every question, guiding the person through the whole process after a THR. This experience is invaluable to make sure the individual is able to achieve at the highest level possible following surgery.
What about AFTER rehab?
Great question. Even after formal rehab ends, there is still quite a bit of work to be done in terms of fully getting back all strength and endurance. The reality is that it may take over 1 year to fully regain strength in the post-surgical leg. In fact numerous studies have found strength deficits in individuals following THR 2 years later. So…just because a person finishes rehab – the AFTER is not finished. There is still more work to be done.
The AFTER never ends. It is important for a person following a THR to continue working on regular exercise program. This could be done independently at this time (at home or gym) or under the guidance of someone like a personal trainer who regularly works with folks after they completed rehab and are now safe for a typical exercise program.
For more information on what a good program AFTER a Total Hip Replacement should look like or are not fully satisfied with your (or someone you know) recovery, fill out this quick survey to initiate a call to learn the next best steps so that you can lead the best most active life you desire.