Physical Therapy Before and After Total Hip Replacement in New Jersey

Overview of Total Hip Replacement Surgery

A total hip replacement, also known as hip arthroplasty, is a common surgical procedure performed to resurface the hip joint surface. The most common reason a hip needs to be replaced is because of arthritic changes in the bones of the hip, either the greater trochanter of the femur or a portion of the pelvic bone, particularly the acetabulum. About 450,000 total hip replacements are performed each year, including anterior and posterior approaches.

A total hip replacement is performed when someone has severe arthritic changes, deformity, or a hip injury resulting in limitations in daily activity performance due to pain, weakness, or stiffness.

The goal of a total hip replacement is to resurface the damaged hip joint after other treatments, including hip injections and physical therapy, have not resolved the hip pain. Typically, physical therapy can resolve hip pain unless it is predominantly caused by bone-on-bone pain. Hip discomfort due to bone-on-bone contact can be resolved with a hip replacement. By resurfacing the existing bone of the hip joint, and then inserting metal and plastic biomechanical implants, friction and jarring associated with a worn-out joint are eliminated.

Physical therapy will be necessary after a total hip replacement to promote tissue healing, reduce pain and swelling, increase the range of motion for the legs and hip, improve strength, and assist with normalizing the patient’s gait when walking and running. Physical therapy also will help improve the performance of activities of daily living. The physical therapist also will help monitor healing.

The use of an assistive device, such as a walker or cane, following a total hip replacement will be assessed to ensure safety and reduce the risk of falls. This is key to protecting the newly constructed joint. Other modifications that may be recommended by the physical therapist include:

• Use of handrails for stairs
• Safety handrails in the shower or bath
• Shower chair or bench
• Raised toilet seat
• Adaptive equipment to assist with showering and dressing
• Removal of carpets to minimize fall risk

It can be helpful to consider these modifications before the operation, so they are available in the patient’s home immediately after the hip surgery.

Post-Operative Treatment and Physical Therapy

Following total hip replacement patients need to keep the surgical area clean and dry. The surgeon or physician assistant will discuss how to minimize the risk of infection. Patients should notify the care team if they notice any signs of infection, which may include:

• Fever
• Redness, swelling, bleeding, or drainage from the incision site
• Increased pain around the incision site

The care team doctor will also provide precautions to reduce the risk of dislocation.

Trust CNSO for Hip Replacement Surgery and Physical Therapy

At Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics, the physical therapists have significant experience helping patients identify the cause of their hip pain and work to strengthen muscles and joints and reduce pain. CNSO physical therapists have ample expertise and experience to accelerate the healing process before and after surgery. CNSO has convenient locations across northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Essex counties. Contact CNSO to have any type of hip pain resolved or plan for an accelerated recovery from hip surgery.