Saturday 24 october 2009
6
24
/10
/Oct
/2009
10:54
Hip replacement recovery, like a lot of things, is all about the
attitude. I know you've heard it before, not just about hip replacement recovery, but about anything that's mentally, physically, or emotionally taxing (and hip replacement pain, surgery
and recovery is all three): you've got to stay positive. I guess the question would be, when in the midst of a process like hip replacement recovery, how do you stay positive?
Well, first, you've got statistics on your side. In people who were good candidates for total hip replacement to begin with (and if you've had one, let's assume you were), the prosthetic hip is 95% certain to last at least 15 years.
Long-term results have been improving with advances in techniques and devices, and they will keep on improving as newer and better techniques evolve. All of these improvements naturally lessen the fear of complication and increase the likelihood of good outcomes.
Still, of course, complications can arise even in the best candidates. My advice is to educate yourself beforehand and take control of your own care. Learn not just about what complications there may be, but also the procedure for handling each one.
Find out if your surgeon has another physician as "back-up" in case complications occur when he or she is unavailable. Make yourself aware and knowledgeable, thus powerful and self-confident!
Finally, and I can't stress this one enough: exercise! Your doctor will have you on a physical rehabilitation program, but especially as your condition improves, don't slack off! There are exercises available even once the official rehab's over that will continue to build your strength and endurance.
Exercise needs to be an ongoing thing for all of us, even those who haven't had total hip replacement surgeries, but it's particularly important for those in recovery from physical traumas of any sort (and surgery, hip replacement or otherwise, is pretty much always a trauma to the body on some level).
Bodies must stay strong in order to heal, even if it hurts, and strong, healthy bodies are instrumental in promoting positive attitudes and minds.
Well, first, you've got statistics on your side. In people who were good candidates for total hip replacement to begin with (and if you've had one, let's assume you were), the prosthetic hip is 95% certain to last at least 15 years.
Long-term results have been improving with advances in techniques and devices, and they will keep on improving as newer and better techniques evolve. All of these improvements naturally lessen the fear of complication and increase the likelihood of good outcomes.
Still, of course, complications can arise even in the best candidates. My advice is to educate yourself beforehand and take control of your own care. Learn not just about what complications there may be, but also the procedure for handling each one.
Find out if your surgeon has another physician as "back-up" in case complications occur when he or she is unavailable. Make yourself aware and knowledgeable, thus powerful and self-confident!
Finally, and I can't stress this one enough: exercise! Your doctor will have you on a physical rehabilitation program, but especially as your condition improves, don't slack off! There are exercises available even once the official rehab's over that will continue to build your strength and endurance.
Exercise needs to be an ongoing thing for all of us, even those who haven't had total hip replacement surgeries, but it's particularly important for those in recovery from physical traumas of any sort (and surgery, hip replacement or otherwise, is pretty much always a trauma to the body on some level).
Bodies must stay strong in order to heal, even if it hurts, and strong, healthy bodies are instrumental in promoting positive attitudes and minds.
