There are many ways that this question can be answered. In fact, the answer often varies from patient to patient. However, having as much information as possible about the recovery process can help you after your hip replacement surgery. 

If you’re about to have a hip replacement surgery, you aren’t alone. It’s reported that about 635,000 hip replacements will be taking place in the U.S. annually by 2030. Many medical professionals can help you prepare for and implement your hip replacement surgery recovery plan, including physical therapists. These specialists can help you learn some important information pre-surgery that can help speed up your post-surgery recovery process. 

Four things you can do before surgery to accelerate your hip replacement surgery recovery

Did you know that recovering from a total hip replacement actually starts before your surgery? Information you gather prior to surgery can have a huge effect on your post-surgical recovery. There are also steps you can take pre-surgery to set you up for a faster recovery, including: 

1. Getting a recovery timeline from your surgeon — One piece of information you should get before your hip surgery is what your recovery timeline might look like. Obviously, your timeline will vary from other patients who have this surgery. But your surgeon can give you a general idea of the timeline your recovery will follow post-surgery.

2. Following pre-surgical instructions — Typically, your surgeon will give you some instructions to follow leading up to your surgery. These can include information about preparing your body for surgery, which can help your surgery go more smoothly. Following such instructions can also set you up for a smoother recovery. 

3. Planning for a helper — There will be some time after your hip surgery where moving around will be painful. You might also be asked to move only in certain ways or for short periods of time. These restrictions can make doing normal daily tasks difficult. 

Planning to have a friend or family member stay with you after surgery can help you avoid moving too much or in ways you shouldn’t. In turn, this pre-planning can help reduce your recovery time. 

4. Meeting with a physical therapist pre-surgery — Physical therapy can help you recover from hip surgery, but you should consider speaking to a physical therapist before your surgery. Doing so can help you get a better idea of how they can help you recover. It can also help you establish a comfortable relationship with the therapist who will be assisting you post-surgery. 

Rehab Access Physical Therapy can help with your hip replacement surgery recovery

Need a top-notch physical therapy team for your hip replacement surgery recovery? Our specialists at Rehab Access PT are ready and willing to help you recover from your surgery as quickly as possible. We can work closely with both you and your surgeon to develop your recovery plan. Additionally, our physical therapists will personalize your therapy plan to fit your specific needs. You can even meet with us via virtual therapy sessions when it’s harder for you to go out after your procedure. 

Contact our team today for more information about our post-surgical rehab services or to schedule an initial appointment.