Have you or your relatives been suffering from hip problems for some time? Are you perhaps already planning a hip operation to replace the diseased joint with a prosthesis? Rehabilitation treatment after hip surgery creates optimal recovery conditions. This is known as hip rehab for short and ensures that most patients can lead as independent and pain-free a life as possible again. Below you will find further information on hip rehabilitation and selected specialists.
Recommended specialists
Article overview
- What is hip rehabilitation?
- Who is hip rehab aimed at?
- How do you get hip rehabilitation?
- What does physiotherapy do in hip rehab?
- What other therapies does hip rehab involve?
- What should you pack in your hip rehab suitcase?
- How long does hip rehabilitation take?
- Conclusion: Hip rehab helps you to remain independent and mobile in the long term
Hip rehabilitation - Further information
What is hip rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation after a stay in hospital is intended to restore the functionality of body and mind. Cost bearers call it follow-up rehabilitation or follow-up treatment (AHB ).
Hip rehabilitation is offered by pension insurance or health insurance companies to patients who suffer from severe hip joint problems.
It typically follows directly after hip joint surgery, which often involves joint replacement with a hip prosthesis.
You should start rehabilitation as soon as possible after hip surgery @ auremar /AdobeStock
Who is hip rehab aimed at?
Orthopaedic rehabilitation is intended to support recovery after illnesses or operations on the hip joint, usually after:
- Implantation of a total endoprosthesis(hip TEP)
- Implantation of a partial endoprosthesis
- Hip operations following an accident or congenital malformations
- Severe osteoarthritis of the hip joint
The largest proportion of hip rehabilitation patients are those who have had a TEP. Doctors use this type of hip joint replacement most frequently for advanced osteoarthritis. Good follow-up treatment is important for an optimally functioning prosthesis. This is provided by hip rehabilitation.
How do you get hip rehabilitation?
Your attending physician will apply for follow-up rehabilitation for you in collaboration with social workers.
Specialists in rehabilitation clinics offer orthopaedic measures. The fact that such clinics are often in scenic locations can contribute to your recovery.
Outpatient rehabilitation centers are an alternative. The advantage is that you are close to home and can travel home at night and at weekends.
What does physiotherapy do in hip rehab?
Joints are stabilized in the body by ligaments, tendons and muscles. The same applies to an artificial joint. If you train the right muscles, you support the function of the joint, regardless of whether it is natural or artificial.
Physiotherapy forms the core of your follow-up treatment. Mobilization by a physiotherapist begins on the day of the operation, or the day after at the latest.
Starting with passive movement of the operated joint, the therapist will increase the intensity of the exercises every day without overloading you. You will also learn how to use walking aids. You can and should also perform some exercises independently several times a day.
A fresh joint prosthesis generally carries a higher risk of dislocation. However, this risk is now very low thanks to minimally invasive techniques.
To prevent complications, therapists will teach you which movements you should avoid at first. These include twisting or spreading the leg too much. You should also avoid heavy lifting and falls.
After the recovery phase, youwill no longer need physiotherapy if you exercise regularly. This will allow you to strengthen your muscles permanently.
The physiotherapist uses various techniques (manual therapy, massage, heat and cold applications) to relieve pain @ photo4passion.at /AdobeStock
What other therapies does hip rehab involve?
At the beginning, you will be examined by a rehab doctor who will then draw up a personal therapy plan for you. In addition to physiotherapy, this will include other important components for your recovery.
The therapies on offer vary slightly from one rehab clinic to the next.
In addition to physiotherapy, the following therapies are typically included in the plan:
- Exercise therapies
- aqua gymnastics
- pain therapy
- Heat and cold applications
- Lymphatic drainage
- massages
It can happen that patients feel particularly stressed by the illness and the operation. This can affect their mood and lead to gloomy thoughts.
Anxiety is also not uncommon. Many rehab clinics offer psychotherapeutic support for these people. After all, recovery does not only depend on purely physical factors.
Social workers are also there for you in the rehab clinic. You can talk to them about reintegration measures, a pension application and the like.
What should you pack in your hip rehab suitcase?
In addition to the usual personal items, comfortable footwear is particularly important. Flat shoes without laces are best.
A long shoehorn makes it easier to put them on. If you are mobile with walking aids, a rucksack will help you carry your personal belongings.
How long does hip rehabilitation take?
Most patients are discharged from hospital within 2 to 5 days after a hip operation. Either they then go straight into rehabilitation or there is a maximum of 2 weeks in between.
Rehabilitation after hip surgery usually lasts 3 weeks. Your rehab doctor will decide on any extension. Not every recovery process is the same. It depends on many factors, in particular your age, your previous illnesses and your level of performance before the operation.
After 2 to 4 weeks, youwill be allowed to go for walks or cycle outside of therapy sessions in consultation with your therapists. Swimming is also permitted as the treatment progresses.
Initially, sports that involve jerky movements or falls arenot suitable. These include many ball sports and martial arts. Jogging is also unfavorable.
You can expect a full recovery after about 3 to 6 months. Your doctor will let you know when and whether you can resume full physical activity. If you have no complaints, you can do without follow-up examinations.
Conclusion: Hip rehab helps you to remain independent and mobile in the long term
During rehab, patients learn how to move without damaging the body or the implant.
At the end of the program, you can do many sports again without any worries. You can also often regain your ability to work, depending on your profession and accompanying illnesses.
And not to be neglected: For many, hip pain is a thing of the past or at least alleviated.
References
https://www.gesundheitsinformation.de/was-erwartet-mich-vor-und-nach-der-hueft-operation.html
https://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/DRV/DE/Reha/Medizinische-Reha/Anschlussrehabilitation-AHB/anschlussrehabilitation-ahb.html