Total Hip Replacement Physiotherapy Brisbane Southside

Rehabilitating After Total Hip Replacement: How Physiotherapy Can Help
A total hip replacement involves replacing the damaged hip joint with an artificial implant to restore mobility and reduce pain. Recovery requires a well-structured rehabilitation program to ensure optimal healing, regain function, and return to daily activities. At our Brisbane southside physiotherapy clinic, we provide tailored rehab plans, including Clinical Pilates, to support you throughout your recovery journey.

Why is Physiotherapy Important After Total Hip Replacement?
Physiotherapy is essential to:

• Restore movement and strength: Regain normal joint function and improve muscle control.
• Promote healing: Controlled exercises enhance circulation and tissue repair.
• Prevent complications: Minimise the risks of stiffness, weakness, and joint instability.
• Improve confidence: Guided rehabilitation ensures safe progression and return to daily activities.

What Happens During the Initial Recovery Phase?
The first few weeks focus on protecting the new hip joint and establishing a foundation for recovery:

• Pain and swelling management: Use of ice packs, elevation, and prescribed medications.
• Early mobility exercises: Gentle movements to prevent stiffness and promote circulation.
• Walking aids: Crutches or a walker are often used to ensure safe mobility.

What Therapies Can Support Recovery?
Our physiotherapists offer a range of treatments tailored to your needs:
Manual Therapy

• Joint mobilisation: Gentle techniques to improve movement and reduce stiffness in surrounding joints.
• Soft tissue therapy: Relieves tension in compensatory muscles like the lower back or thighs.
• Scar tissue management: Techniques to improve scar flexibility and prevent adhesions.

Taping and Bracing

• Support and alignment: Kinesiology or rigid taping can help guide proper movement patterns.

Swelling and Pain Management

• Cryotherapy: Ice therapy to manage inflammation and discomfort.
• Lymphatic drainage massage: Encourages fluid movement and reduces swelling.

Education and Advice

• Activity modification: Guidance on safe daily movements like sitting, standing, and using stairs.
• Postural corrections: Proper alignment to reduce stress on the new joint.
• Lifestyle tips: Advice on pacing activities to prevent overloading the joint.

What Precautions Should Be Taken After Total Hip Replacement?

• Avoid hip dislocation: Follow specific movement restrictions, like not crossing your legs or bending the hip beyond 90 degrees.
• Use assistive devices: Walking aids help prevent falls during early recovery.
• Gradual progression: Increase activity levels as guided by your physiotherapist.
• Maintain proper posture: Avoid slouching or twisting the hip unnaturally.

What is the Typical Recovery Timeline?
Recovery varies depending on factors such as age, health, and the complexity of the surgery:

• 0–6 weeks: Focus on pain relief, reducing swelling, and regaining basic mobility.
• 6–12 weeks: Transition to strengthening exercises and improved functional activities.
• 3–6 months: Begin more advanced rehabilitation, including balance and endurance training.
• 6–12 months: Full recovery, allowing return to higher-impact activities if approved by your surgeon.

What Muscles Should Be Strengthened After Total Hip Replacement?
Strengthening the following muscles is key to restoring stability and mobility:

• Gluteal muscles: Essential for hip stability and balance.
• Quadriceps: Support knee and hip alignment during movement.
• Hamstrings: Assist in walking and other functional tasks.
• Core muscles: Provide a stable base for the lower body.

What Exercises Will Be Included in Rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation exercises progress in stages:

• Early stages: Ankle pumps, quad sets, and gentle leg raises.
• Mid-stages: Standing hip extensions, mini squats, and step-ups.
• Later stages: Dynamic balance training, resistance exercises, and Clinical Pilates.

How Does Clinical Pilates Support Recovery?
Clinical Pilates is a low-impact way to:

• Enhance stability: Focuses on core strength and controlled movements.
• Promote flexibility: Safely improves hip mobility and range of motion.
• Improve confidence: Gradual progression ensures safety while rebuilding strength.

Frequently Asked Questions About Total Hip Replacement Rehabilitation
How long after total hip replacement can I walk?

• First day: Most patients begin walking with a walker or crutches under supervision.
• 6–12 weeks: Progression to walking independently without aids.

How painful is total hip replacement recovery?

• Initial discomfort: Normal during the first weeks but managed with medication and therapies.
• Exercise soreness: Expected but should gradually subside with rehabilitation.

How to sleep after total hip replacement?

• Best positions: On your back with a pillow between your legs or on your non-operated side with support.
• Avoid stomach sleeping: It can strain the hip joint.

When can I stop elevating my leg?

• First 2 weeks: Elevation is crucial to manage swelling.
• Afterward: Continue elevating as needed, especially after prolonged activity or exercise.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Our experienced physiotherapists are dedicated to helping you regain mobility, strength, and confidence after your total hip replacement. Contact us today to book a consultation and start your personalised rehabilitation plan!
 
Have questions or want to make a booking? Call our friendly reception team 07 3706 3407 to book in to see one of our Tarragindi Physiotherapists or email us at [email protected]

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Who to book in with

Bethany Kippen
Physiotherapist.

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Mauricio Bara
Physiotherapist & Exercise Physiologist.

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