How to recover after hip replacement?

  As there are more and more patients undergoing hip replacement surgery, we would like to introduce the post-operative rehabilitation of hip replacement as follows, in the hope that you can benefit from it.  1.Posture: After surgery, let the patient lie down with the affected limb lightly abducted by 20°, the knee joint flexed by 10-15°, (a soft pillow can be placed under the knee) elevated by 20°, try to maintain this position when moving to prevent the artificial joint from dislocating. The calf of the affected limb is padded with a sponge pad, so that the heel is suspended to prevent pressure sores from occurring on the heel.  2. Postoperative rehabilitation guidance: (1) Day 1 after surgery: Perform isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscle and ankle flexion and extension training to promote blood circulation and prevent deep vein thrombosis. Start hip and knee flexion and extension exercises on 1-2 days after surgery, flexing the hip <45°, and gradually increasing the flexion degree later, but avoiding >90°.  (2) 2-4 days after surgery: continue the muscle strength training of the affected limb. Muscle training can promote local hemolymph circulation, help calcium ion deposition in bone marrow, promote bone healing, prevent disuse muscle atrophy and joint contracture. Pay attention to the amount of exercise from small to large, and the duration of exercise from short to long. Patients can also be instructed to perform 3-point support hip lift exercise by flexing the lower limb on the healthy side and supporting the healthy foot and both elbow joints with force.  (3) 4-5 days after surgery: bedside exercises can be performed: the patient moves to the bedside of the healthy limb first, the healthy leg leaves the bed first and puts the foot on the ground, the affected limb abducts, flexes the hip 45°, and is assisted by others to pick up the upper body so that the affected limb leaves the bed and puts the foot on the ground, then the column stands up with double crutches and goes to bed in the opposite direction, that is, the affected limb goes to bed first, 2-3 times/day, 5-10 minutes each time. (2-3 times/day for 5-10 minutes each time; depending on the patient’s condition, the patient should be instructed to walk around the hospital room with double crutches for 30 minutes each time, and encouraged to perform self-care activities in bed within the patient’s ability to enhance self-confidence and promote rehabilitation. (4) 1-2 weeks after surgery: instruct the patient to walk with the assistance of a walker, without weight-bearing on the affected limb as far as possible, and flex the hip joint by 90° in about 3-4 weeks after surgery.