Hip Rehabilitation - Information and Specialists

Rehabilitation following a hospital stay is designed to restore physical and mental function. Insurance providers refer to it as follow-up rehabilitation or follow-up medical treatment (AHB).

Pension insurance or health insurance providers offer hip rehabilitation to patients who suffer from severe hip joint problems.

It typically follows immediately after hip surgery, which often involves joint replacement with a hip prosthesis.

You should begin rehabilitation as soon as possible after hip surgery @ auremar /AdobeStock

Orthopedic rehabilitation is designed to support recovery from hip joint conditions or surgeries, typically following:

• Implantation of a total hip replacement (THR)
• Implantation of a partial hip replacement
• Hip surgeries following an accident or due to congenital abnormalities
• Severe hip osteoarthritis

The majority of patients in hip rehabilitation have received a total hip replacement. Doctors most commonly use this type of hip replacement for advanced osteoarthritis. Good postoperative care is essential for the prosthesis to function optimally. This is what hip rehabilitation provides.

Your treating physician will apply for follow-up rehabilitation on your behalf in collaboration with social workers.

Specialists at rehabilitation clinics offer orthopedic treatment programs. The fact that such clinics are often located in scenic areas can contribute to your recovery.

Outpatient rehabilitation centers are another option. The advantage is that they are located near your home, allowing you to return home at night and on weekends.

Joints in the body are stabilized by ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The same applies to an artificial joint. By exercising the right muscle groups, you support the function of the joint, whether natural or artificial.

Physical therapy forms the core of your follow-up treatment. Mobilization by a physical therapist begins on the day of surgery, or the very next day at the latest. 

Starting with passive movement of the operated joint, the therapist gradually increases the intensity of the exercises each day without overloading the joint. You’ll also learn how to use walking aids. There are some exercises you can and should perform on your own several times a day.

A new joint prosthesis generally carries a higher risk of dislocation. However, thanks to minimally invasive techniques, this risk is very low today.

To prevent complications, therapists will teach you which movements to avoid at first. These include forcefully twisting or spreading the leg apart. You should also avoid heavy lifting and falls.

After the recovery phase, you will no longer need physical therapy if you stay active on a regular basis. This will help you build lasting muscle strength.

The physical therapist uses various techniques (manual therapy, massage, heat and cold treatments) to relieve pain @ photo4passion.at /AdobeStock

At the beginning, a rehabilitation physician will examine you and then create a personalized therapy plan for you. In addition to physical therapy, this plan includes other important components for your recovery.

The therapy options vary slightly from one rehabilitation clinic to another.

In addition to physical therapy, the following therapies are typically included in the program:

• Exercise therapies
• Aqua aerobics
• Pain management
• Heat and cold treatments
• Lymphatic drainage
• Massages

Sometimes patients feel particularly overwhelmed by their illness and the surgery. This can affect their mood and lead to negative thoughts.

Anxiety is also common. Many rehabilitation clinics offer psychotherapeutic support for these patients, as recovery depends on more than just physical factors.

Social workers are also available to assist you at the rehabilitation clinic. You can discuss reintegration measures, applying for disability benefits, and similar matters with them.

In addition to the usual personal items, comfortable footwear is especially important. Flat shoes without laces are best. 

A long shoehorn makes it easier to put on your shoes. If you use walking aids to get around, a backpack can help you carry your personal belongings.

Most patients are discharged from the hospital within 2 to 5 days after hip surgery. They either transition directly to rehab or there is a maximum of 2 weeks in between.

Rehabilitation after hip surgery typically lasts 3 weeks. Your rehabilitation doctor will decide whether to extend this period. Not everyone’s recovery is the same; it depends on many factors, particularly your age, pre-existing conditions, and your fitness level before the surgery.

After 2 to 4 weeks, in consultation with your healthcare providers, you may go for walks or ride a bike outside of your therapy sessions. Swimming is also permitted as your recovery progresses.

Sports involving sudden movements or falls are not recommended at first. These include many ball sports and combat sports. Jogging is also not advisable.

You can expect to make a full recovery in about 3 to 6 months. Your doctor will let you know when—and if—you can resume full physical activity. Provided you have no symptoms, you do not need to attend follow-up appointments.

During rehabilitation, patients learn to move in ways that do not harm their body or the implant. 

By the end of the program, you’ll be able to participate in many sports again without worry. You can also often regain your ability to work, depending on your profession and any underlying medical conditions.

And not to be overlooked: For many, hip pain is a thing of the past—or at least significantly alleviated.