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According to Dr. Dickey, Fayette County Memorial Hospital Orthopaedic Surgeon, after
hip replacement surgery, one of your top priorities is to help your new joint heal. You’ll
start by working with your doctor or physical therapist to draft a postsurgery exercise
plan, which you will need to follow faithfully.
A typical exercise plan will often include these tips:
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Start slowly, adding more di cult exercises as healing progresses.
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Don’t overdo it, but stay steady and keep on track. Regular exercise increases blood
circulation, decreases pain, strengthens muscles and increases range of motion.
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Focus on heart-healthy, low-impact activities. Examples include walking, swimming,
cross-country skiing, gol ng and stationary biking. Ask your health care team whether
weightlifting activities are safe for you.
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Avoid high-impact activities—such as tennis, badminton, football, basketball, rac-
quetball, jumping and jogging—that can injure or dislodge the joint.
Reaching full recovery usually takes three to six months, depending on the type of
surgery, your overall health and how quickly exercise helps your rehabilitation.
For information on therapy services at Fayette County Memorial Hospital, call
740-333-2862
.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Healing your new hip after surgery
WHEN
was the last time you
took a walk without wincing from
the pain in your hip?
If you’re having trouble getting
around or if you’re starting to lose
your indepen-
dence because
of hip pain, ask
your doctor about
hip replacement
surgery.
Each year in the U.S., more than
230,000 people have surgery to
replace diseased, injured or worn-
out hips, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
Regardless of age, most people who
have hip replacement surgery expe-
rience a dramatic reduction in pain
and a noticeable improvement in
mobility and quality of life.
Is surgery right for you?
In general, people are candidates
for an arti cial hip if they:
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Have hip pain or sti ness that
limits walking, bending or other
everyday activities
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Have hip pain that continues at
night or while at rest during the day
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Have tried other treatments—such
as medications, physical therapy,
or a cane or walker—without much
success
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Experience bad side e ects from
medications
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Are healthy enough for surgery
and rehabilitation a erward
A joint decision
Whether to have hip replacement
surgery is a decision best made a er
talking with your primary care phy-
sician, an orthopaedic surgeon and
your family. For more information
JOINT REPLACEMENT
If pain is keeping you from the
activities you enjoy, talk to
Dr. Dickey about your options.
Find
freedom
from
hip pain
or for a referral to Marcy Dickey,
DO, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Fayette
County Memorial Hospital,
call
740-333-3333
.
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; National
Institutes of Health
www.fcmh.org
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