Your hips are a vital body component, allowing you to walk and perform your daily activities. However, they sustain damage with overuse and conditions like arthritis.
Conservative measures are the first line of treatment for hip pain, but if they don't work, you may need surgery. A hip replacement finally allows you to get pain relief and restores your mobility.
If you need a hip replacement, Dr. Steven J. Svabek and his team provide cutting-edge tools and procedures to ensure success. Dr. Svabek is an orthopedic specialist who specializes in joint replacement surgery.
A hip replacement may be necessary when severe hip pain continues even after conservative treatments. If you've tried medications, physical therapy, and injections without relief, Dr. Svabek recommends a hip replacement.
The most common reason for hip replacement surgery is damage in your joint caused by arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of protective tissues in your joint, leading to tissue damage and inflammation.
You may also require a hip replacement after a hip fracture or a severe infection in your hip joint. Chronic pain and immobility are two main symptoms warranting a hip replacement.
The best step you can take before your hip replacement is to prepare yourself and your home. Preparing yourself for recovery ensures a safe and comfortable environment while healing from surgery.
There are several things you need to do before your hip replacement surgery, a few of which include:
After a hip replacement, you stay home for a little while. You shouldn't go upstairs, so arrange to sleep on your home's first floor.
You should also move any tripping hazards, such as cords or rugs, out of the way. Put things you'll regularly need within reach of your chair or bed.
You may also need a toilet riser or grab handles in the bathroom while you recover. Set up a table near your bed with your medications and other commonly used items within reach.
You need someone to take care of you for the first few days after your hip replacement. They should drive you home from the hospital and help you get settled when you get home.
Smoking is detrimental to your health and healing after your procedure. If you're a smoker, Dr. Svabek suggests quitting several months before your hip replacement surgery.
Smoking also puts you at a higher risk for complications like blood clots during and after surgery. The sooner you quit, the more likely you will have a successful hip replacement surgery.
Weight management is crucial to the success of your surgery. Being overweight not only puts you at a higher risk of complications during surgery, but it also puts a lot of wear on your new hip joint.
Dr. Svabek gives you guidelines on your weight before your procedure. If you're overweight, try to lose a few pounds before surgery to lower your risk of complications.
The first few weeks after hip replacement surgery will be rough. The less you have to worry about, the better your recovery will go. Stock up on easy meals or prep your meals for convenience during recovery.
Dr. Svabek prescribes pain medications for the first few days after your procedure. Make sure you pick up these prescriptions and your other medicines before surgery. When you have your medications, you won't have to worry about getting them on the day of your procedure.
If you're on blood thinners, Dr. Svabek wants you to stop taking them a week or so before your procedure. Blood thinners cause excess bleeding during surgery, which can lengthen your procedure or cause unnecessary complications.
After a hip replacement surgery, you'll need a walker or cane to get around the first few weeks. You should bring any walking aids with you to your procedure. You must have them and know how to use them before the day of surgery.
If you're ready to discuss a hip replacement for your pain, don't hesitate to call our office in Coral Springs, Florida at 954-466-9140 or request an appointment on the website using our convenient scheduling tool.
