Planning for your recovery is just as, if not more, important as preparing for your surgery. There are things that you and your loved ones can do to make your recovery from surgery go smoothly and even more quickly. As with every other piece of advice provided on this site these are recommendations which come from experience and are not intended to replace the advice of a physician and/or your care team. The following are tips that come from both experience and our healthcare partners and advisors. Check with your surgeon before following any advice from me or anyone else.
- Prepare your home in advance
Before your surgery, ask friends and family to help you rearrange your home so that you have easy access to everything you will need. Follow the instructions of your surgeon about bathing and hygiene. You may need to adjust your shower with handheld shower head, suction cup grab bars and perhaps a shower chair. All of these items are easy to find and purchase online.
Reorganize your kitchen and bathroom so that important things are at waist-level and within easy reach — including your daily essentials like tea and coffee, and your soap and face flannel. When you arrive home after your surgery, for some weeks you’re also going to need help with household chores like cleaning, cooking and shopping. - Get recovery equipment
Most surgeries have specific recovery aid items that you should have in advance. For joint replacement surgeries you should have a cane, you may need a walker for the first few days, you’ll want to have a “grabber” to reach items off of the floor or from cupboards and to help you dress*. In some cases you may find items online under “Hip Kit” or “Surgical Recovery Kit”, as with all of the other details be sure to ask your surgeon and their team for the details. - Prepare your clothes. While some might argue that recovering from surgery means you can spend your day in pajamas, it is not recommended. After you wake up in the morning you should do your normal routine including; brushing your teeth, washing your face and getting dressed. Studies have shown that being dressed in something you like aids in your self esteem and boosts your mood. And since your mental well-being is a key to a successful recovery. You will probably attend a “class” or be provided a link prior to your surgery that will show you how to care for yourself post-op, including how to get dressed.
*How to dress: Soft, loose clothing that does not constrict any bandages is best. Wear pants with an open bottom and avoid elastics and complicated closures. It may be recommended that you wear compression stockings and/or socks to help avoid circulation issues. Your tools will have an aid so you can put socks on yourself, though you might need a little help at first. - Balance rest and recovery with gentle exercise. Be sure to ask about exercise prior to your surgery and follow the direction of your care team. Orthopaedic consultants say that while it’s often tempting after surgery, to stay still — whether in bed or in a chair and it is important to rest to allow yourself time to recover, it’s also important to get moving too. This is because if you stay still for too long, you can become stiff which could hinder your recovery (and it could take longer).
Gentle exercise is beneficial, such as short, gentle walks around your home and outside. You should be getting up and changing positions every 25 or 30 minutes. If you have healthcare be sure to demand physical therapy for your recovery. Your care team should support you with this. It’s important to not overdo it or do the wrong type of exercise so consult with a professional first and follow their direction. - Focus on Nutrition. Healthy eating & drinking is important to your overall health, but after any surgery the body has to heal. A varied diet plays a vital role in this healing process. Choose foods that contain important nutrients, including protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. A healthy, balanced diet is key to and will help speed up your recovery. While it might be tempting to indulge yourself, processed, sugary and fatty foods will slow down your healing process. If you are able, preparing and freezing healthy meals ahead of time is a good idea.
- Be mindful of your movements. Consider the position of your operated joint to avoid muscle strain, injury or dislocation. Your physical therapist and your surgery team should provide you with specific instructions such as; Don’t cross your legs at the knees for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Don’t bring your knee up higher than your hip. Don’t lean forward while sitting or as you sit down. Don’t try to pick up something on the floor while you are sitting. Listen to and follow the recommendations not just for recovery but for the long term health and longevity of your new parts.
- Return to your hobbies steadily. While you might be anxious to get on with life as normal as fast as possible it is important to follow the advice from your care team. Everyone is different, while your friends at the club or your favorite personal trainer may attest to know what is best for you, only your physician knows what your body can do. Certain activities put different kinds of strain on the body. Some of our favorite activities will be O.K. after the standard 6 weeks and others will take more time. Such as:
Golf
Refrain from all golf including the driving range for the first six weeks. This is because twisting the hip joint at this early stage could cause you pain and hinder recovery.
Swimming
Avoid public swimming pools for the first six weeks while your surgical wound is still healing and to reduce the risk of infection. Your PT will provide you with the swim techniques and swim strokes you can use to aid your rehabilitation, and which ones to avoid completely. When you are able, Water Aerobics has been shown to be an excellent exercise for recovery and increased mobility.
Hiking
Hiking on uneven ground is not recommended for at least three months. Walking is definitely recommended ASAP, around your house and outside where your PT deems it is safe. If you do start hiking or rambling after this time, use a walking or Nordic pole.
Running/Jogging
New studies have indicated that while jogging may be a good aerobic activity, running on hard surfaces may increase inflammation in the body. However, if this is your preferred exercise, once you’re fully recovered, it’s fine to run short distances — no more than 5 km at a time, and only if it feels comfortable. Any distance longer than this, should be avoided completely. This is because running is a high-impact sport that puts a lot of pressure on the joints of the body, including the hip joint.
I will be chronicling the recovery from my 2nd hip surgery on my Facebook page. Follow along as I share my experience with Becoming Bionic.
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