recovery from a hip operation

Professional physiotherapy is essential after a hip operation. Ideally the basic competencies required for the proper functioning of the joint should be gradually reacquired.

It is important, for example, to restore mobility using specially designed stretching and treatment techniques. Chronic muscle contraction can be countered by means of manual therapy to improve joint mobility. Warm water treatment (aquatherapy) is also recommended as a means of gently relaxing the muscle.

Passive movement therapy on a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine is also extremely useful in the initial phase as it automatically moves the leg and enables the extent of movement to be gradually increased. At the same time movement therapy on the CPM machine offers effective prophylaxis against blood clots and should therefore be employed several times a day after the operation for up to six weeks.

Damp heat has also proved useful in many cases as a means of stimulating lymph transport and reducing swelling. Local cold therapy (e.g. ice packs) can also be helpful in the first few days after surgery.

After the internal wound has healed, a systematic training program should be carried out during the first six weeks to increase strength and stamina.

Professional coordination training is also necessary to relearn complex movements and to ensure more balanced loading of the joint, which helps to relieve the musculoskeletal system.

Note: Whereas the leg can often withstand a full load immediately after an artificial hip implant, in some cases this is not possible. With arthroscopic hip procedures, for example, supports are required for the first six weeks. With abrasion arthroplasty or microfracture, the hip should not be subjected to a full load for the first eight weeks, as premature loading might prevent the formation of sufficient healthy fibrous cartilage.