Hip replacement surgery involves removing the damaged bone and cartilage from your hip joint and replacing it with an artificial implant – a femoral head prosthesis (ball) and an acetabular cup (socket).
Hip replacement surgery is done when deformation/injury/arthritis in your hip joint causes pain and reduced movement. The goal of the procedure is to relieve pain, improve mobility, and help check any future bone loss. After hip replacement surgery, eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of recommended exercise are essential. Your doctor may advise avoiding certain foods and drinks while you are recovering.
Here are a few tips that may speed up your recovery after hip replacement surgery:
Green tea has many benefits and can help with pain management. It contains antioxidants called catechins that help decrease joint inflammation, which may help relieve pain after hip replacement surgery.
Broccoli contains vitamin K, which helps the body absorb calcium and does not allow bone loss during the healing process. It also contains vitamins A and C, antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals in your body.
Salmon contains high omega-3 fatty acids, which help improve circulation, stop blood clots from forming, and keep inflammation in check. Eating salmon daily can also boost your energy levels, so you don’t feel tired during recovery.
This leafy green vegetable contains vitamins K1 and K2, promoting bone health while reducing joint inflammation following hip replacement surgery.
Bone broth contains minerals, collagen and amino acids that can be beneficial for your body after surgery. It also helps in managing inflammation and pain.
These are full of vitamin A and beta-carotene, which will help keep your immune system strong while you recover from surgery. They’re also high in fibre, which will help keep your digestive system healthy.
These tiny little blue gems are loaded with antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonoids that work together to fight free radicals, which cause oxidative stress in our bodies.
Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps to strengthen muscles and bones. They also contain iron and fibres, essential for your body after surgery.
Almonds and walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease (which is common among those who have had hip replacement surgery). They also contain magnesium and calcium—these nutrients help keep bones healthy by ensuring proper bone mineralization.
Yogurt contains probiotics that help digestion and reduce inflammation after surgery. It also contains calcium and vitamin D, which aid bone repair following a hip replacement procedure. It also helps restore balance in your digestive system after surgery—which means less bloating and gas for you.
In short, eat a balanced amount of healthy proteins, carbs, fibre, nuts and berries. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lentils etc., can be taken every day unless advised otherwise by a doctor.
Fried foods are high in fat and calories. The extra weight on your body can cause increased pressure on your hip joint, making it more challenging to walk and move.
These drinks can cause gas and bloat, making you feel uncomfortable during your recovery.
Alcohol is generally toxic to the body and even more so when it’s broken down by a new joint replacement device like a hip implant or knee implant, for example.
Caffeine can cause dehydration due to its diuretic properties, which you want to avoid while recovering from a recent surgery like this one.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of pumpkin puree (or to taste)
– 1 cup of water (or to taste)
– 2 cups of vegetable broth (or to taste)
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced (or to taste)
– 1/2 cup of heavy cream or whole milk (or to taste)
– 1 tsp. of fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Directions:
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, add all ingredients except for the heavy cream/milk and parsley. Cook until heated through, about 10 minutes. If you like a thicker consistency, add half an ounce of cornstarch dissolved in water and whisk it into the soup. Stir well and then remove from heat.
2. Add heavy cream/milk and stir well until combined throughout the mixture before serving hot with some fresh parsley sprinkled on top!
Ingredients:
-500 gms of potatoes, peeled and quartered
-2 cups of milk
-1 cup of butter, softened
-1/4 tsp salt
Directions:
1. Place the potatoes in a large pan, cover them with water and bring them to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and boil until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well.
2. Mix the butter and milk with the potatoes and mash until smooth, adding more milk if necessary. Season with salt and serve hot!
Ingredients:
-2 cups of water
-1/4 cup of brown rice, uncooked
-1/4 cup of red lentils, uncooked
-2 teaspoons of olive oil
-A pinch of salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Also Read: Soft Foods to Eat: A Comprehensive Health and Recovery Guide
When you’re recovering from hip replacement surgery, it’s crucial to eat the right foods. A proper diet can enable your body to recover faster, so you’ll return to doing what you love sooner. People with underlying conditions like- diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease etc., should also follow the dietary restrictions advised by their doctor. ,
The right diet can also help ease your pain and discomfort, so you’ll get through those long days of recovery without feeling uneasy. Talk with your doctor or nurse if you have questions about the foods to eat and foods to avoid after hip replacement surgery.
Also Read: Exercises for Hip Pain: A Research-Based Guide to Relief
Yes, eggs are good for you. You can have an egg as long as it’s not fried or contains a lot of fat. It’s better to eat them boiled or poached rather than fried.
Patients must follow the doctor’s instructions carefully. You may need support while walking after hip surgery. Consult the doctor about how much weight to use on crutches or a walker if you need one.
The best mineral supplements for recovery are Calcium, vitamin C, D, and iron. Vitamin C helps with tissue repair, while iron helps the blood carry oxygen throughout the body.
It takes about 2 to 4 weeks for a surgical incision to heal. During this time, keeping the wound clean and dry is essential, as avoiding activities that cause pain or discomfort and taking prescribed medications on schedule.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
Hip replacement surgery is an effective procedure that can benefit people with severe arthritis, pain and loss of function in their hip joints. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of requiring hip replacement surgery. This condition causes inflammation and breakdown of cartilage in the joint, which causes pain and stiffness in movement. Problems related to the hip joint can adversely affect a person’s quality of life due to limitations in movement. Hip replacement surgery aims to restore the happiness and quality of life of the patients.
Once you have surgery, you will need physical therapy to help with your recovery. Your doctor will prescribe exercises that will help strengthen your leg muscles and improve balance and coordination.
The aim is for you to be able to walk normally again. The sooner you start these exercises after surgery, the better off you will be in the long run. In addition to being important for your health post-surgery, exercising is also a crucial step in maintaining the new joint that has been placed inside your body. This is because exercise helps prevent stiffness and muscle atrophy after this type of surgery.
While excercises are encouraged there are some some lifelong restrictions in movement like Seniors should avoid hip flexion past 90 degrees — bending your hip too far or lifting your knee too high. This movement occurs when you lift your leg or your knee up towards your body. For example, when you put on socks or shoes. Generally, keep the knee below hip level.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Ankle pumps are a great exercise for people recovering from hip replacement surgery. They help strengthen your hips and legs, which will help you regain mobility.
To do ankle pumps, raise your legs to a comfortable height by placing them on the sofa’s armrests. In a prolonged sitting position, stretch one leg out in front of you and pull your toes up towards the knee of that leg. Relax that foot, then repeat the exercise 10 times with the other.
The Quadriceps Sets exercise is a great way to strengthen the quadriceps muscles in front of your upper leg. These muscles help to move your knee and straighten your leg. Lie on your back with your legs stretched. Push one knee into the bed, tightening the thigh muscles without holding your breath. Repeat 10 times with the other leg.
The gluteal set is a straightforward exercise that can be done to help strengthen the muscles in your buttocks, as well as help you regain range of motion after hip replacement surgery.
To start with this exercise, lie on your back with your legs and feet flat on the bed. Contract your buttocks and hold the contraction for a couple of seconds before relaxing. Holding your breath is not required while performing this exercise. Repeat with another leg until you have done 10 repetitions per leg.
On average recovery from hip replacement may take around 6 to 8 weeks, it varies between individuals and full recovery may take around 6-12 months in elderly patients.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Heel slides are an exercise that helps build strength and motion range in your hips. They also help with balance and stability as you move around after surgery.
To perform heel slides, lie on your back with your legs stretched and feet slightly apart. Bring your affected leg up to rest by the back of your thigh. Keep this position for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position by sliding your heel forward. Repeat 10 times for each leg.
The short arc quadriceps exercises are the first step to rebuilding your strength and range of motion after a total hip replacement. This exercise will help you regain control over your leg muscles and increase your range of motion by allowing you to flex and extend your knee.
Rest on your back with one knee inclined and a towel rolled under the other. As you lift your foot, keep your thigh on the roll to maintain a slow and steady straightening of your surgical knee. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
It is not uncommon for some people to feel pain beyond the first year of the surgery, some implants may fail earlier but usually they last for 20 years after a replacement.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
This exercise is done while sitting in a chair and helps increase the hip’s mobility. Place a towel under your surgical legs before performing the exercise.
To do this exercise, take a wide stance with your feet flat on the floor and place one foot back. Bend your surgical leg’s knee until it is nearly in line with that hip. Hold for 5 seconds before releasing and returning to an upright position. Repeat this exercise 10 times a day.
After hip replacement surgery, the seated knee extension exercise is a great way to work your hip muscles. The first step is to sit on the edge of a bench or chair with both legs straight out in front of you.
Keeping your back straight, slowly raise one leg straight until it is parallel with the floor (or as high as it will go without causing pain or discomfort). Stay at this position for about 5 seconds before lowering it down again slowly until it touches the floor.
Repeat with each leg 10 times daily until you can do 20 repetitions with each leg comfortably at least twice per day without causing any pain or discomfort.
Dealing with joint pain? Try these supplements
Exercise is an integral part of your recovery from hip replacement surgery. It helps your body heal and reduces the risk of complications. But there are some exercises you should avoid for a few weeks after surgery. Do not lift heavy weights or do exercises that require twisting at the hip until your doctor clears you. This includes:
Hip replacement surgery is a popular procedure that aims to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. Following your doctor’s recovery plan is important, including avoiding certain exercises during the first few weeks after surgery. Do not overdo any exercise and follow the advised restrictions sincerely for a smooth recovery.
If you have questions about how to stay safe during this time, talk with your doctor or physiotherapist.
Also Read: Exercises for Hip Pain: A Research-Based Guide to Relief
The best exercise after hip replacement surgery is pain-free, safe, and doesn’t stress your new joint. Your doctor might recommend starting off with gentle stretches and range-of-motion exercises. If you’re feeling up to it, try walking in a pool or using an elliptical machine at the gym.
Walking is usually the first exercise your doctor will recommend after hip replacement surgery. It’s a safe, low-impact exercise that can help you recover faster. Walking is usually recommended with a walker and later by crutches to reduce weight bearing on the joints. However, if you have a lot of pain or discomfort while walking, talk with your doctor about other exercises to try instead.
The muscles around the hip take about four weeks to heal fully after surgery. It’s important to stay active during this time, so your muscles can recover properly.
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
