Total Hip Replacement

When the hip has suffered a significant trauma such as a fracture or with long-term arthritis that is affecting your ability to move and walk, a total hip replacement surgery may be needed. In a total hip replacement surgery, the socket of the hip joint and head of the femur are replaced. With a partial hip replacement either the head of the femur is replaced or the socket of the hip. There have been many advances in the technology of the total hip replacement prosthesis and procedures allowing for less invasive surgery and faster recovery times.

Typically, people have suffered for a while before having surgery, leading to changes in walking, muscle strength and function. Physical therapy before surgery in general has shown to help the speed and quality of recovery after surgery.

How physical therapy helps

Working with your physician's protocols, we coordinate a thorough rehabilitation program to get you back to normal walking as soon as possible.

Typically, you may start physical therapy in the hospital the day after your procedure. In the hospital, basic movements and function such as getting up and down out of chairs, basic walking and strength are addressed. After discharge from the hospital it is very important to continue with outpatient physical therapy at our practice.

We complete the rehabilitation cycle, further restoring your range of motion via your physician's protocols, restoring normal walking, balance, hip coordination and alleviating pain. We continue to reinforce safety precautions with your hip movement while you heal. The end result of physical therapy is being able to return to most normal activities pain-free.