How Long Does It Take to Recover from Orthopedic Surgery?

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Article featured on Orthopedic Associates

Preparing for orthopedic surgery can make a person nervous and hopeful at the same time. You are optimistic about the potential results and improvements that can come from surgical interventions. At the same time, there are often questions about the recovery process.

If you have an injury or chronic health issues affecting your function and movement, orthopedic surgery might be the key to restoring your health. Rest assured, knowing that the surgeon will plan the ideal treatment to address your unique needs, as well as recommendations to speed up your healing time and optimize overall results during recovery.

In addition to the surgical treatment, it’s just as important to ensure that you are diligent about implementing rehabilitation and care to support your healing. It takes time and effort to recover after surgery, but it will be worth the inconvenience because of the long-term results you can achieve.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Orthopedic Surgery?

Remember that it is going to take time to recover from orthopedic surgery. Many patients are anxious to return to normal lifestyles as quickly as possible. But it’s critical that you follow the doctor’s recommendations to ensure proper healing.

Depending on the type of surgery you need, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to recover from orthopedic surgery.

The initial days and weeks after surgery often require immobilization and limited activities. But as your body heals, you can return to normal activities once again. Always follow the doctor’s recommendations because certain things might slow your progress if you aren’t careful about this healing time.

Initially, you will likely be dealing with pain, swelling, and inflammation. As these post-operative symptoms start to subside, your recovery treatment can change to include treatments that help you move again and restore normal function.

What Is Involved in Post-Surgery Recovery?

Each patient receives unique recommendations for their recovery plan, depending on the type of surgery and personalized concerns. Common recommendations during rehabilitation include services from medical experts and at-home methods to support the healing process.

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Ice and heat therapy
  • Stretching and strength training
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Pain management medications
  • Other medications to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of infection
  • Time off work and daily activities
  • Wound care

The more diligent you are in following the surgeon’s recommendations, the faster you can return to normal activities in the coming weeks and months. It’s critical that you respect this recovery period to allow your body time to heal. Returning to certain activities too soon could potentially harm your progress because of the damage or stress that occurs to the surgical site.

Recommendations for Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

Always plan time for recovery after orthopedic surgery. Your doctor will recommend how many days, weeks, or months you will need during this recovery time.

While there are unique recommendations depending on the type of surgery you need, general suggestions apply to all types of surgery.

Have Patience During Your Recovery

Even though you are anxious to return to your normal activities as quickly as possible, it’s essential that you are patient with yourself during this recovery time. Be kind to yourself and remember that time is one of the most important factors in supporting your healing.

Recovery won’t happen overnight. Healing takes time, and you need to respect your body and allow the natural healing processes to take place. A positive attitude about this process will help you maintain consistency in implementing the recommended practices during your recovery.

Talk to the surgeon before the treatment to understand realistic expectations for your recovery period. This conversation will help you know what to expect so you can maintain the right mindset, including realistic expectations for the recovery timeframe and specific treatments to assist with this healing period.

There’s no question that surgery is a major, life-changing procedure. Not only will this treatment affect your life, but it also has an impact on the lives of your family and friends. Loved ones can step in to assist during this treatment time.

Additionally, your recovery ensures that you can return to your family and career responsibilities after the surgery.

Long-Term Perspective for Optimal Recovery

Not only are we helping you with a fast and effective recovery, but we also want to be sure that you achieve the best possible results in the future.

The small recovery steps you take right now can impact the long-term results you can achieve in the future.

If immobilization is recommended after surgery, avoiding activities that could overwork this part of the body is essential. For example, if you have knee surgery and the doctor recommends no weight on that leg for the first few weeks, then be diligent about using crutches. Wait to walk on the leg until you have consulted with the surgeon, and they have determined that sufficient healing has occurred.

What to Expect After Different Types of Orthopedic Surgeries

Post-recovery recommendations will vary depending on the type of surgery and the area of the body that is treated. Small surgeries might only require a few days of downtime. But major treatments will need several weeks or months to ensure proper healing.

  • Knee Surgery: Often, knee surgery is required after a sports accident or to fix wear-and-tear in the joint. If you have a partial or complete tear in the knee ligaments, you will likely need 6 – 8 months for recovery.
  • Bone Fractures: Depending on the severity of the break, you will likely need six to eight weeks for upper limb recovery or as long as 12 weeks for lower limb recovery.
  • Spinal Surgery: The most common type of spinal surgery is to address nerve pain or alignment of the spinal column. Often, months of recovery are required, especially for more invasive types of spinal surgery. For example, you might need 12 – 18 weeks for your recovery time, depending on the complexity of the surgery.

Each situation is unique, and your doctor can offer recommendations to support your healing period. The best thing you can do is follow these suggestions to ensure your injured area recovers as quickly and effectively as possible.

Arthrodesis of the Ankle

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Article featured on Mercy Health

What is arthrodesis/surgical fusion of the ankle?

Arthrodesis/surgical fusion is the surgery that joins the bones in your ankle to form a single unit and eliminate movement. You may need this surgery if you have arthritis or another condition where moving your ankle joint is painful. By eliminating the movement, you eliminate the pain.

The bones in your ankle joint are the tibia, fibula and talus. The tibia and fibula are the bones in your lower leg. The talus is the bone that sits right above the heel bone. It acts as a hinge. Arthrodesis fuses the tibia to the talus.

Your doctor opts for arthrodesis over an artificial joint because a fused ankle joint doesn’t wear out. This surgery is a permanent solution and lasts for the rest of your life.

What to expect from arthrodesis/surgical fusion of the ankle

Doctors perform arthrodesis both arthroscopically and as open surgery. Which one your doctor chooses depends on your personal needs. The surgeries are similar in both situations. The main difference is the incisions are smaller in an arthroscopic surgery.

You need general anesthesia for this surgery. That means you’re asleep and don’t feel any pain. Your doctor makes an incision in your skin to access the ankle joint.

The doctor uses a saw or rotary tool to remove cartilage from the surfaces on both sides of your ankle joint. By doing this, your body can fuse the bones together during healing — much like bone heals after a break.

Your doctor inserts screws or metal plates into the joint to hold the bones in the right position so they heal properly. These screws stay in place permanently. They may start to cause pain or affect the joint later on. If that happens, your doctor removes them.

You wear a cast in the first few weeks following the surgery. You need to keep your ankle elevated to prevent swelling and reduce pain, also. The doctor may give you crutches. They’ll also advise you to avoid putting weight on your ankle while the joint heals.

After up to 12 weeks, your doctor removes the cast and replaces it with a brace. As the joint heals, you can put more weight on the ankle. During this time, you work with a physical therapist to learn how to walk with a fused ankle joint.

Shoe modifications and special shoes make walking easier. Though you won’t be able to run normally again, you can walk with a normal gait following arthrodesis.

Common ankle conditions requiring arthrodesis/surgical fusion

If you have severe pain, inflammation and stiffness in your ankle joint due to arthritis, your doctor may recommend arthrodesis. The main types of arthritis that affect your ankle are:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Degenerative arthritis from a previous ankle injury

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery: What is it?

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New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Prehabilitation: An Essential Ingredient for Successful Orthopedic Surgery Outcomes

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New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

How to Ease Back Into Exercise After Surgery

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Article featured on MedicineNet

Patients who’ve had surgery should ease back into movement and exercise.

These efforts may be small, but they’re better than nothing, according to one surgeon who emphasized the importance of listening to your body.

“The most important thing is patient comfort. After surgery, there is often this apprehension of, ‘If I move or do something, I will hurt or damage the area where I had surgery,’” said Dr. Adil Ahmed, an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “We must counsel patients pre-op and post-op, telling them what is safe to do in terms of physical activity because they should be mobile.”

Start by doing small tasks after surgery. For shoulder replacement patients in a sling and with limited mobility for four weeks, move your fingers, open and close your hands, squeeze a stress ball and flex and extend the wrist and elbow, Ahmed suggested. This can keep the joints from getting stiff and prevent swelling.

“In those first four weeks, you’re doing very gentle, rotational motions because you want everything to heal, and then you progress in therapy and remove those restrictions,” he said in a Baylor news release. “Once your motion begins to improve, you begin strengthening.”

If your arm is in a sling, just focus on getting out of bed on your own, going to the bathroom alone or putting on and taking off clothes and shoes.

After that, you can slowly start going back into physical activity, such as walking with gentle motion.

Modify your exercise routine during recovery by focusing on the areas that you can move instead of being sedentary, Ahmed advised.

After a shoulder replacement, use your free arm to hold a broomstick and move it around. Progressively start using heavier sticks to strengthen the other arm.

If it’s your wrist or elbow that’s healing, focus on working your legs and core. You can gradually start incorporating your arm workout into your routine as well, Ahmed said.

Basic workouts using resistance bands can be a good idea.

“If you can get to the gym and do something, even if it isn’t your normal routine, that’s great. Something is always better than nothing,” Ahmed said.

Controlled movements are best to minimize pain. Riding a stationary bike, for example, elevates the heart rate with low impact. This is an easy workout even if your arm is restricted in a sling. Walking is encouraged after surgery.

Start light when you do return to the gym, Ahmed recommended.

“It’s always a progression, and you never want to hit the weights right away. You should start with light bodyweight exercises, much less than you were doing before surgery, because it’s not about getting strong right away. You must do everything within the same motion parameters because the natural body response is to power through pain, which is how you injure yourself,” he said.

Use pain as your guide when beginning physical activity after surgery, Ahmed suggested.

If something hurts, that should be the upper threshold limit to you.

Avoid suffering through the pain. Gaining motion is more important during the recovery period than strengthening.

Patients often fall into two groups: overcautious, which can cause stiffness and a longer recovery, and aggressive, pushing too far too fast.

Patients with fractures that involve a joint need to use more care because the joint can shift, which may cause the patient to develop arthritis for life.

Patients should ask their surgeons a number of questions, Ahmed said. They should ask about range of motion including, “Is it safe to move or not? Are there any restrictions on movement?” They should ask about weight bearing: “Can I weight bear or not? Can I push, pull or lift items?”

They should also ask if they need to be in the sling constantly or can take it off for a certain amount of time. Also ask about therapy, including when to start and whether you should do basic home exercises.

“I try to make a point to tell patients this information, but it’s important with any type of surgery — not just the extremities — to ask these questions,” Ahmed said.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Roots of Post-Surgical Knee Nerve Damage Uncovered

Roots of Post-Surgical Knee Nerve Damage Uncovered

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Article Featured on PPP

Two recent studies1,2 have uncovered tiny cutaneous nerves on the anterior and medial thigh and around the knee using high-resolution ultrasound imaging, which may explain the occurrence of chronic pain following knee operations. Previously, it has been deemed impossible to demonstrate that these tiny cutaneous nerves (less than 1-mm thick) exist around the knees.

In the first study,1 a team of researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria located the entire course of ramus infrapatellaris (a sensitive nerve branch in front of and below the kneecap) with high-resolution ultrasound imaging. They showed that neuropathy of the intermediate and medial femoral cutaneous nerve can be reliably visualized throughout the course of the nerves, both in anatomical specimens and in patients.

The second study,2 also led by researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, highlighted the branched anterior cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve, nervus femoralis, confirming the reliability to visualize these branches using high-resolution ultrasound in anatomic specimens and in healthy volunteers, which could enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with anteromedial knee pain. It was also found that the nerve pathways are highly variable for each patient.

To accurately isolate the nerve branches causing the pain, it is essential to carry out a “diagnostic blockade,” according to lead researcher Georg Riegler, MD, lead researcher from MedUni Vienna’s Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy. “Since the nerve supply is so variable, it is essential to first make sure which of these tiny nerves [are] causing the pain,” he said in a press release.3 “This can only be done by selectively temporarily anesthetizing, or blockading, the suspected nerve, with a maximum of 1 mL of anesthetic. If the pain is significantly reduced immediately after a blockade has been done and returns once the anesthetic has worn off, then we have located the problem.”

One of the first options for treating nerve pain in the knee is to use localized pain patches or physiotherapy, followed by ultrasound-guided treatment. Other possibilities include cortisone injections, radiofrequency ablation, and surgical procedures. Dr. Riegler urged the importance of determining the exact position of the damaged nerve fibers before giving any targeted treatment to combat nerve pain.

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New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Surgery for Lower Back Pain

Surgery for Lower Back Pain

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By John Peloza, MD | Article Featured on Spine Health

Surgery may be considered if for severe lower back pain that does not get better after a 6 to 12-week course of nonsurgical treatments. It is almost always the patient’s decision to have back surgery, and only in rare situations is immediate surgery performed for low back pain.

Some factors to consider before having back surgery include:

Ability to function. If it is possible to complete daily life activities with manageable pain levels, and if pain does not interrupt sleep or activity, nonsurgical treatments are usually recommended. Surgery is more likely to be recommended if the patient has limited ability to function in everyday life.

Healing process and lifestyle. Surgery vs. nonsurgical care require varying degrees of time commitment. It is important to consider how the healing process after surgery will affect the patient, as compared to continued non-surgical care.

Type of surgery. Some surgeries are considerably more invasive than others, and include lengthier healing periods, more or less significant pain during recovery, and varying inpatient hospital stays. With modern surgical approaches and an experienced surgeon, many types of spine surgery can now be done on an outpatient basis with a shorter recovery period.

Mental health. Several studies have indicated that mental and emotional well-being have a positive correlation to improvement and satisfaction after surgery. Patients who feel more in control of their health, for instance, report a more positive recovery and outcome after surgery.1 Understanding how a patient is likely to respond to surgery can help guide more effective post-operative care.

Spine surgery is usually not recommended for mild to moderate back pain, or for pain that has lasted for less than 6 to 12 weeks. Additionally, back surgery is not an option if the cause of the pain is not detectable through imaging tests.

Decompression Surgeries

A decompression surgery removes whatever is pressing on a nerve root from the spinal column, which might include a herniated portion of a disc or a bone spur. There are two primary types of decompression for low back pain.

  • Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure for patients with a lumbar herniated disc causing radicular leg pain (sciatica).
  • Laminectomy removes part of the layer of the bone or soft tissue that is compressing a nerve or multiple nerve roots. A laminectomy will typically be performed for someone with leg pain and/or weakness from spinal stenosis caused by changes in the facet joints, discs, or bone spurs.

A decompression surgery can be performed with open or minimally invasive techniques with relatively small incisions, and minimal discomfort and recovery before returning to work or other activities. Most of these procedures are now being done as day surgery or with one overnight stay.

Lumbar Spinal Fusion Options

Fusion surgery basically removes the soft tissues between two or more adjacent vertebral bones and replaces them with bone or metal. This procedure enables the bones to grow together over time—typically 6 to 12 months—and fuse into one long bone to stabilize and eliminate motion at those spinal segments.

In the lumbar spine, fusion can be done from the back (posterior approach), the front (anterior approach), the side (lateral approach), or combined. Modern techniques, implants, navigation, and biologics have made the surgery more predictable with easier recovery and return to normal activity and work.

The most reliable indications for lumbar spinal fusion include spondylolisthesis, fracture, instability, deformity, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis. For lower back pain caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction, fusion of the sacroiliac joint is an option. Tumors and infections are also treated with fusion surgery, but these conditions are far less common.

Other Surgical Options

Some newer surgical options that are being used for some cases of low back pain include:

  • Lumbar artificial disc. For some patients, disc replacement is a potential alternative to fusion surgery for symptomatic degenerative disc disease. This procedure has the potential for a quicker recovery and to maintain more spinal motion than lumbar fusion. Long-term data is still being collected.
  • Posterior motion device. The Coflex inter-laminar device is an alternative to fusion for stenosis and mild degenerative spondylolisthesis. The goals of this approach are for similar results as fusion but with a smaller surgery and faster recovery. Long-term data is still being collected.

This is not a complete list of surgical options. Several others exist or are in development. Technologies that are being utilized today and in development include stem cells, nanotechnologies, and robotics.

Lower Back Surgery Post-Operative Care

The recovery period after low back surgery depends on a number of factors, including the patient’s condition before the surgery, the extensiveness of the surgery, and the surgeon’s skill and experience. For example:

  • A microdiscectomy for a lumbar herniated disc is considered minimally invasive, and the patient usually has no overnight hospital stay and recovery time is about a week.
  • A lumbar fusion may involve an overnight hospital stay, slow return to everyday activities, and possibly some activity restrictions as the fusion sets up over the next 3 to 12 months.

Physical therapy is typically prescribed to rebuild strength, range of motion, and encourage healing. Patients are also commonly prescribed painkillers or muscle relaxants, and some patients may be advised to use a back brace or special beds, shower stools, or supportive pillows to ease the healing process.

Patients in recovery are typically advised to take a short period of rest while the spine and surrounding tissues heal. Most patients take brief time off from work—a few weeks to a couple months—to avoid overexertion of the spinal structures.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

What to Expect After a Hip Replacement

What to Expect After a Hip Replacement

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Article Featured on Home Care Assistance

Have You Decided it is Time for Hip Replacement Surgery?

That aching, painful and stiff hip has reduced your quality of life. You can’t enjoy the activities you used to love, like a good golf game, a walk around the block or even playing with the grandkids, without constant pain.

Over 300,000 people have hip replacement surgery each year in the United States. Before you decide to join this group, it is important to know what to expect following surgery. What will you experience after your hip replacement? When will you feel back to normal? What can you do to speed your recovery?

Pain After a Hip Replacement

First things first, hip replacement surgery will hurt. All surgery does! Be prepared that you will experience a significant amount of discomfort in the first three days following surgery. Your mobility will be limited, and you will need to depend on others to help you with your regular activities of daily living. Even simple things like going to the bathroom will require assistance.

On the first day, a significant amount of surgical pain medication will be in your system. You may feel groggy but not as uncomfortable. On the second day, you will likely be able to get out of bed and start moving with assistance. Although you had surgery on the largest joint in your body, you will be walking on it in only one or two days.

Be ready for the third day after surgery. You will probably feel like you got hit by a truck. After surgery, your body sends a large number of inflammatory cells to the injured area in order to help with the healing process. These levels will be at the highest on day three. Inflammation means swelling and swelling means pain. Talk to your doctor their recommendations for using ice and taking an anti-inflammatory medication starting on the day of surgery. But remember, typically, once you get through day three the swelling and pain will get better.

Walking After Hip Replacement Surgery

Most likely, you will be up and walking the day after your surgery. Take it slow and don’t push yourself beyond what you can handle. Getting up and active following surgery is vital to speeding up your recovery after a hip replacement. Try to exercise for 20-30 minutes at a time. The first day that might just mean getting out of bed and to the hallway. Don’t feel discouraged by this!

Moving around will not only speed up your recovery but will also increase the circulation to your legs and feet which will reduce your chance of getting a blood clot. Blood clots are a serious risk following all types of surgery but can be prevented by early movement and exercise.

Getting out of bed will also help to maintain and increase your muscle strength while preventing your new hip from getting stiff. You’ll want to take full advantage of that new level of hip movement. Don’t forget that getting out of bed and being able to walk with a walker or cane is one of the goals you need to accomplish before going home from the hospital.

Your Hip Replacement Recovery Checklist

Typically, after two to four days you will be discharged from the hospital to either your home or to a rehabilitation facility. Here are some goals to use as a checklist when transitioning back to your home. Make sure that:

  • You can get out of bed by yourself.
  • Your pain is adequately under control. This doesn’t mean you’re pain-free but it should be manageable.
  • You can eat, drink, sleep and go to the bathroom.
  • You can walk with a cane, walker or crutches.
  • You’re ready to do home exercises on your own.
  • You know what you need to do to protect your new hip from an injury.

Before you go home, you will need to have someone available to help you at home. This can be a friend, family member or a caregiver. At home, you will want to make sure that your furniture is set up so that you can get around your house easily.

What Will Hip Replacement Recovery be Like?

It’s normal to have questions about what the healing process will look like after surgery. So we’ve gathered the answer to common questions.

When Can I Shower?

You will not be showering until you get the go-ahead from your surgeon because you need to keep the incision dry. But a sponge bath will feel heavenly when you get home! The first two weeks you will be at your highest risk of infection, so report any signs of redness, drainage or fever. Your surgical staples will usually come out on day 10-14 and then you can bathe or shower again.

When Can I Start Walking?

After your surgical staples are removed, you’ll be able to start to work on walking without a walker or cane. Don’t forget to move around as much as you can while at home. Make sure you do the physical therapy exercises you have set up, go for light walks and remember to rotate your ankles, bend your knees and practice leg raises while sitting up or lying down.

When Can I Drive?

You can usually start driving within three to six weeks following hip replacement surgery. However, you will need to make sure that you are no longer taking any pain medication that affects your response time or makes you groggy. Initially, you will likely find that an automatic transmission is easier to drive. Also, make sure you can tip your foot up and down without pain prior to driving. This can depend on which hip is operated on. If you had surgery on the side you use to drive, it may take longer to get behind the wheel.

When Can I Have Sex?

Yes, it is a question every patient has but often hesitates to ask. This can be especially awkward if it is your parent that has had a hip replacement and you are accompanying them to a doctor’s appointment. Check with your doctor to be sure, but it is usually safe to resume sexual activity six weeks to two months following a hip replacement. Remember, as with all activities, to listen to your body! Do not attempt to do more than you feel capable of and to stop or slow down if you notice increased pain.

Dr. Mehran, an orthopedic surgeon, shares this rule of thumb, “If you are still needing to use a walker, you are probably not ready for sex yet.” Still using a walker usually means that you have not yet regained enough strength and balance.

What Should I Eat After Hip Replacement Surgery?

The healthier you eat, the better you heal! The food that you put into your body will provide you with the energy and nutrition needed to fight off infections, accelerate healing, increase your strength and energy and build up your nutrition stores. Speed up the recovery process by eating healing foods like berries and dark leafy greens.

6 Tips for a Successful Hip Replacement Recovery

Along with following your surgeon’s discharge plan for exercise and physical therapy, it’s important to make a few changes to your home.

“Preparing your home with the same care shown to your physical recovery will set you up for success,” says Barbara Bergin, M.D. of Texas Orthopedics, Sports and Rehabilitation Associates. She suggests starting with the following six steps.

1. Remove Tripping Hazards

Slips and falls are common reasons for hip replacement surgeries in the first place. To avoid hospital re-admission with an injury to your other hip, or damaging the replacement, Bergin suggests removing all throw rugs, floor mats, etc. from your home.

“You’ll be shuffling your feet for a while,” says Bergin. As a result, you can trip on throw rugs, including those you use in the bathroom or kitchen. If you prefer to keep the rug where it is, Bergen suggests “fastening them using carpet tape to keep the edges down.” However, she says that the best bet is removing the tripping hazard to eliminate any concerns about a fall.

2. Upgrade the Bathroom

Installing a handicap or comfort height toilet is a better option than a temporary elevated toilets apparatus, says Bergen. “Not only do the temporary appliances get dirty easily, but it’s also recommended to use a comfort height toilet permanently after a total joint replacement.” Doing so, she says, will improve the quality of your life, along with that new joint.

You should also use a shower chair. Make sure that you have a sturdy chair that is higher than average and firm. You will find this easier to get up from. To get in and out of the shower easily, you also might want to consider having a grab bar installed in the bathroom.

3. Raise ‘em up

“Elevating the legs helps get that swelling down,” Bergin says. Swelling can limit your ability to get your life back to normal. She suggests, “Using big pillows or wedges to elevate your legs if recommended.” This includes having a pillow to place in between your legs while sleeping. “A nice, fat body pillow provides comfort and helps promote restful sleep.”

4. Gather the Right Tools

Bergin says over time, you may easily perform many daily activities once again. But in the first days and weeks at home, some of life’s little tasks like getting dressed or feeling steady while retrieving something from a cabinet might be challenging. She encourages people to have a few handy gadgets to make these tasks as stress-free—and safe—as possible.

“Sock donners and handy grabbers that extend your reach are absolute musts,” she says. Other helping hands include leg lifters, bendable bath sponges and a long-handled shoe horn. Many companies sell these items together as a “hip kit” package.

5. Raise Your Seat

If you can afford it, Bergen suggests asking your doctor for a prescription for a lift chair. She says, “Your knees, hips and arms will appreciate it, and that your other bad hip will really appreciate it!” Although insurance doesn’t cover the cost of the chair, having a prescription can avoid the need to pay sales tax in some areas.

6. Borrow, Don’t Buy

Many of the items you’ll need to speed down the road to recovery post hip replacement will only be required for a few weeks or so. Instead of paying the full price out-of-pocket (medical equipment is frequently not covered by many insurance plans) or even your deductible’s portion of these items, check in your area for free or low-cost community resources. These can alleviate the sting of having to outfit your home with several new tools and medical equipment.

“Family members and/or patients may borrow this equipment for little or no cost from community medical equipment lending programs, also known as medical equipment reuse programs or loan closets,” says Janice Selden, Director of Great Lakes Loan Closets.

These organizations accept medical equipment from community members who no longer need it. “They clean the equipment, check to make sure it is safe, and lend it back out to members of the community who need it. Typical equipment includes wheelchairs, walkers, shower aids, and dressing aids,” explains Selden.

Organizations like these usually provide an online directory of locations that provide these services throughout the country and can be very helpful for patients.

Do’s and Don’ts After a Hip Replacement

The dos and don’ts might be different depending on what type of surgical technique your doctor used. Your doctor and physical therapist can give you a specific list to remember. These precautions are pretty standard to prevent your new hip from dislocating and to help with a quick and thorough recovery.

Do

  • Keep your operated leg facing forward.
  • Make sure your operated leg is in front of you as you sit or stand.
  • Use chairs that are high enough that your knee is lower than your hip when bent.
  • Use ice to reduce swelling.
  • Use heat before exercising to warm up the muscles for 15-20 minutes. This will help you to have better movement.
  • Reduce the amount of exercise you do if you are in pain but continue to stay active and resume your exercises as soon as possible.
  • Ask your doctor about safe sleep positions.
  • Limit the amount of weight you carry.

Don’t

  • Cross your legs for six to eight weeks.
  • Allow your knees to sit higher than your hips.
  • Lean forward while sitting, especially to pick something up off the floor.
  • Turn your foot in or out when you bend down.
  • Bend at the waist beyond 90 degrees.
  • Twist your hips.

How Long Until You Feel Good Again After a Hip Replacement

It will take time before you are out dancing again! Hip replacement is an excellent option to increase your health and quality of life. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons report that 95% of patients who undergo a hip replacement stated the procedure was successful. They reported relief from hip pain and were able to be more active and connected with their loved ones following the surgery.

These results are encouraging but it is not an overnight cure. You can expect it to take 10-12 weeks before you are able to return to all your favorite activities. At some point, you are going to feel like your recovery is taking too long. It’s important to remind yourself that feeling frustrated and limitations to physical ability are a normal part of the healing process.

Take a break and relax from pushing yourself. Do something you can enjoy. Get help if you need it, think about how far you have already come, then get back up, keep on moving and eating healthy. 10-12 weeks will feel like a long time, but once you are enjoying a pain-free stroll or game of golf, that time will be just a memory.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.

Hip or knee replacement - after - what to ask your doctor

What to ask your doctor after hip or knee replacement

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Article Featured on Medicineplus.gov

You had surgery to get a new hip or knee joint while you were in the hospital. Below are some questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you take care of your new joint.
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Do I Need Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Do I Need Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

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Article Featured on WebMD

Most of us use our hands almost every minute of the day without ever giving it a second thought. But if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, the pain, numbness, and tingling in your fingers get your attention. Treatments like wrist braces and corticosteroids can help, but in more severe cases, you may need surgery.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on your median nerve. This is what gives you feeling in your thumb and all your fingers except your pinky. When the nerve goes through your wrist, it passes through the carpal tunnel — a narrow path that’s made of bone and ligament. If you get any swelling in your wrist, that tunnel gets squeezed and pinches your median nerve. That, in turn, causes your symptoms.

Whether you’ve decided to have surgery or are still thinking about it, you should know what to expect.

When Would My Doctor Suggest Surgery?

Over time, carpal tunnel syndrome can weaken the muscles of your hands and wrists. If symptoms go on for too long, your condition will keep getting worse. If any of these sound like your situation, your doctor might suggest surgery:

  • Other treatments — like braces, corticosteroids, and changes to your daily routine — haven’t helped.
  • You have pain, numbness, and tingling that don’t go away or get better in 6 months.
  • You find it harder to grip, grasp, or pinch objects like you once did.

What Are My Surgery Options?

There are two main types of carpal tunnel release surgery: open and endoscopic. In both cases, your doctor cuts the ligament around the carpal tunnel to take pressure off the median nerve and relieve your symptoms. After the surgery, the ligament comes back together, but with more room for the median nerve to pass through.

  • Open surgery involves a larger cut, or incision — up to 2 inches from your wrist to your palm.
  • In endoscopic surgery, your surgeon makes one opening in your wrist. He may also make one in your arm. These cuts are smaller, about a half-inch each. He then places a tiny camera in one of the openings to guide him as he cuts the ligament.

Because the openings are smaller with endoscopic surgery, you may heal faster and have less pain. Ask your doctor which operation is best for you.

Results and Risks

Most people who have carpal tunnel surgery find that their symptoms get cured and don’t come back. If you have a very severe case, surgery can still help, but you may still feel numbness, tingling, or pain from time to time.

Risks come with any operation. For both types of carpal tunnel release surgery, they include:

  • Bleeding
  • Damage to your median nerve or nearby nerves and blood vessels
  • Infection of your wound
  • A scar that hurts to touch

What’s the Surgery Like?

First, you’ll get local anesthesia — drugs to numb your hand and wrist. You may also get medicine to help keep you calm. (General anesthesia, which means you will not be awake during surgery, is not common for carpal tunnel syndrome).

When the operation is finished, your doctor stitches the openings shut and puts a large bandage on your wrist. This protects your wound and keeps you from using your wrist.

Your doctor and nurses will keep an eye on you for a little while before letting you go home. You’ll likely leave the hospital the same day. Overnight stays are rare.

How Long Does It Take to Heal?

You may get relief from symptoms the same day as your surgery, but complete healing takes longer. Expect to have pain, swelling, and stiffness after the operation. Your doctor will let you know what medicines might help. You may have some soreness for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after surgery.

Your bandage will stay on for 1-2 weeks. Your doctor may give you exercises to do during this time to move your fingers and keep them from getting too stiff. You can use your hand lightly in the first 2 weeks, but it helps to avoid too much strain.

Slowly, you can get back to more normal activities, like:

  • Driving (a couple of days after surgery)
  • Writing (after a week, but expect 4-6 weeks before it feels easier.)
  • Pulling, gripping, and pinching (6-8 weeks out, but only lightly. Expect 10-12 weeks before your full strength returns, or up to a year in more severe cases.)

Your doctor will talk to you about when you can go back to work and whether you’ll be limited in what you can do.

Will I Need Occupational Therapy?

If you do, your doctor will suggest it once your bandage comes off. You’ll learn exercises to improve your hand and wrist movement, which can also speed up healing.

Some people find that their wrists aren’t as strong after surgery as they were before. If this happens to you, occupational therapy can help increase your strength.

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.

New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.

Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.

If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.