Total Hip Replacement (THR)

What is a Total Hip Replacement?

A Total Hip Replacement (THR) is a commonly performed surgery that aims to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hip, restore hip function, and improve your quality of life. The surgery involves removing the arthritic joint surfaces, and replacing them with implants to act as the joint surfaces.

What can Physiotherapy Do?

Physiotherapy can help at all of the 3 stages – preventing surgery, prehabilitation (before surgery) and rehabilitation (post-surgery)

1. Prevention – prescribe appropriate exercises for you based on your symptoms and presentation, such as, to reduce pain and swelling, improve range, and strengthen the surrounding muscles to prolong or prevent the need for surgery. Studies have shown that appropriate body weight exercises will reduce your pain and improve function
2. Prehabilitation – if surgery is required, physiotherapists can ensure you’re in the best shape to maximise recovery and reduce hospital time. Your physiotherapist will teach you exercises to do in preparation, and begin practicing the exercises you will need after surgery. You will also practice using crutches or other aids that you will need initially post-surgery
3. Rehabilitation – your physiotherapist will assist your recovery greatly. They can use many different techniques to manage pain, increase your range, and strengthen the leg muscles. The physiotherapist can also assist in helping you to decide when and how to walk without your walking aid.

Recovery

Total Hip Replacement surgery is highly successful, and you will be able to return to most activities after you have recovered. There are 2 approaches the surgeons can take to perform the THR – anterior or posterior. There are some precautions to follow depending on what approach your surgeon has used, to ensure you do not damage the implant.

Most surgeons recommend avoiding returning to high impact activities such as running and jumping. At full recovery, you will be able to enjoy pain free walking, stair climbing, bending/kneeling and low-impact exercising (cycling, swimming, walking, gym). Your surgeon will give you a guide as to when you can return to driving and work. Generally, you will be able to drive in 6 weeks.

Related tag: Podiatry Paddington