Whether you are just exploring treatment options, have decided to go ahead with the surgery, or have already had a hip replacement, the following information will help you through your recovery journey.
Although there are average guidelines regarding recovery time, recovery will look different for every hip replacement. Factors such as age, pre-habilitation/strength, general health and well-being can impact the recovery journey—there’s no point in comparing how others are going; it’s your hip, and your goals are most important to you.
It is vital that you take an active role in your recovery journey, working together with your doctors and allied health practitioners to plan and prepare for successful recovery.
Average recovery time
First week – post operative
Don’t be surprised if a physiotherapist comes in to help you get out of bed as early as the day of the operation. Physiotherapists will show you ways to get in and out of bed safely and mobilise when safe – usually with a gait aid.
Exercises in the hospital—Depending on your progress, the physiotherapist will prescribe a couple of exercises, ensuring you do them safely and according to the prescription. Having pain relief/medication before Physiotherapy sessions will help you participate better.
When it is safe to go home, you will likely be discharged within a few days, i.e., when you can get around confidently and safely with a walking aid, are mostly independent (not everyone has to be independent to be discharged from the hospital), have organised relevant equipment at home, and have no other complications.
Exercises after the hospital: Your physiotherapist will continue to work with you and progress your exercise program to improve your strength and balance. Ensure swelling and pain are well controlled. It is harder to see swelling in the hip than in the knee, however, swelling can last up to 3-6 months.
Can I move normally after hip surgery?
When getting your hip done, you may have heard from your surgeon and the physiotherapist what movements to avoid with your hips. It’s called a hip precaution, a well-known post-operative protocol designed to mitigate hip dislocations that can occur at an estimated incidence of 1-3%.
There are a few different surgical approaches to hip replacement, i.e., going through the muscles of the buttock (Posterolateral), going from the front (Direct anterior), or going slightly off to the side a bit from the front (Anterolateral). Hip precautions depend on the surgeon and what approach they have used. Depending on the hospital, your doctor, nurse, or physiotherapist will go through this with you before and after the surgery unless you are in for an emergency hip replacement.
The most common approach for hip replacement is the posterior approach – provocative positions for this approach include bending the hips, bringing legs across the body’s midline or twisting the leg inwards. Precautions include:
– Do not bend the hip more than 90 degrees (you may need pieces of equipment at home)
– Do not cross your legs or feet
– Do not roll or lie on your unoperated side for the first six weeks ( this will make the operated leg cross the midline)
– Do not twist the upper body when standing
– Sleep on the back for the first six weeks
– Avoid bathing (you can still shower) and bending down to the tub for 8-12 weeks
(More information available from National Library of Medicine ‘Hip Precautions’)
Ultimately, the surgeon who performed your hip surgery will decide the hip precautions and what you can or are limited to. The nurses and physiotherapists will check the post-operation orders to ensure you comply with the protocol and minimise the risk of dislocation.
Reaching 6-week mark
You might have gotten rid of the gait aid by six weeks as it feels less painful. However, if you are limping without the aid, you need to practice walking correctly with it. Once you can walk normally with an aid, then you can move on to practice without it. By six weeks, your hip movements would have improved, and you would have started to perform light activities such as preparing meals and other daily tasks. It will have become easier to take care of the hip and able to go up and down stairs. If you have taken a leave from work for the surgery, please seek advice from your treating doctor before returning to work.
Congratulations, you made it to the 3rd month!
You should be able to feel that swelling has gone down significantly by now. If you have access to a gym, you might have started using stationary bikes or light weights. If you need help determining which exercises to do and when, please consult the physiotherapist treating you. You will need clearance to drive from your treating doctorIf you have a sport to return to or want to start a new sport, please consult the treating doctor and your physiotherapist.
Remember that you have a brand new hip in there, and it can take up to 12 months for a full recovery. If you have any questions, or would like to know any further information please reach out to us below, or on 38053223.
Like to know more information?
Reference List
https://www.svph.org.au/services/orthopaedics/knowledge-hub/hip-replacement-surgery-your-recovery
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-hip-replacement/
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hip-replacement#:~:text=During%20hip%20replacement%20surgery%2C%20damaged,takes%201%20to%202%20hours.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537031/
Riding a Bike in the Water?? Sounds absurd but why is it so good for knee rehab?
Knee rehabilitation is a common concern for individuals who have undergone knee surgery or experienced knee injuries. Exercise is a crucial component of rehabilitation, but traditional forms of exercise can be painful and difficult for those with knee injuries. Underwater biking, also known as aqua cycling, is an excellent option for individuals with knee injuries as it provides a low-impact workout with numerous benefits. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of using an underwater bike for exercise during knee rehabilitation.
Low-Impact Exercise
The buoyancy of water provides a low-impact environment, reducing the stress on the knees while exercising. This is particularly important for individuals with knee injuries or arthritis, as it helps prevent further damage and pain. Aqua Cycling also provides resistance to movement, making it an effective form of cardiovascular exercise without putting undue stress on the knees.
Improved Range of Motion
Underwater biking promotes better range of motion in the knees, which is essential during rehabilitation. The water resistance against the pedaling motion can help strengthen the muscles around the knee and individuals with limited knee mobility can use aqua cycling to increase their range of motion while minimizing discomfort.
Reduced Swelling
Water pressure from the surrounding water can help reduce swelling in the knee. Swelling is a common issue after knee surgery or injury, and reducing it can promote better healing and reduce pain. Aqua cycling can be a useful tool to help reduce swelling in the knee while providing exercise benefits.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Underwater biking is a form of cardiovascular exercise that can provide numerous benefits for overall heart health. The combination of pedaling and water resistance can help increase heart rate, improve circulation, and promote better cardiovascular health. This is particularly important for individuals with knee injuries who may have limited options for cardiovascular exercise.
Customizable Resistance
The resistance of an underwater bike is completely dependent on how hard you push! The faster the movement, the harder the resistance of the water. So the resistance can be gradually increased over time as strength improves.
So why not give it a go?
Aqua cycling is an excellent exercise option for individuals with knee injuries, offering low-impact exercise with numerous benefits. It can help improve range of motion, reduce swelling, promote cardiovascular health, and provide resistance to improve strength. With the guidance from a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist, a rehabilitation program can be designed to get you back on your feet.
Introducing our unique hydrotherapy pool
Public pools, a lot like commercial gyms, can be daunting and off putting for a lot of people. Having your own space to complete your therapy will make it easier than ever to get engaged in hydrotherapy.
That is why we are really excited that our purpose built hydrotherapy pool is almost complete! This pool is one of only three private hydrotherapy pools in Brisbane and the only one on the southside of Brisbane. Not only that, it is uniquely designed by our experienced therapists to provide optimum results for rehab and the treatment of disabilities. There is no other pool like it in Australia.
What’s so unique about it?
This is not your typical lap pool for recreational ‘swimming’ or swimming lessons. This is specifically designed for hydrotherapy and completing aquatic therapy under the supervision of Allied Health therapists. This means the purpose built pool has been designed with YOU and your rehabilitation in mind.
Some of the unique points include:
- Rehab specific – 6 separate rehabilitation areas over 4 separate depths
Our pool has 4 different depths enabling us to work in clearly defined areas for different purposes, from 0.9m to a water running area at 1.6m. It has a permanent seated platform, full height stair station, and a step up area with two heights, so we can facilitate aquatic therapy for every type of injury or disability. - Privacy
Our pool is a private space, designed for small groups and individual therapies. There is no public access. All patients at the pool will be involved in rehabilitation resulting in a level of dignity and respect for our patients that is not accessible in public spaces. Exclusive therapy times may be arranged for select groups due to religious, cultural or personal reasons. Best of all, therapy will be available by appointment all day – no blocked out times for swimming lessons! - Sensory adaptation
Unlike any other aquatic facility, our pool has the capacity to provide either a quiet space or an engaging space: Lighting off, calming video projection and soft or no music to calm over-activity, or multi-coloured lights in the pool, disco lighting/galaxy lights, and music for stimulation. We are excited to be able to create specific programs like this, designed with the help of a paediatric physiotherapist, and will be the only facility to do so in Australia. - Modern disability and rehabilitation equipment
A hoist sling and platform will make this pool more accessible than most private and public pools. No matter your ability you’ll be able to access the pool to complete your hydrotherapy in the way that suits you best. Water wheelchairs are also available, along with an underwater treadmill and bike for specific therapy needs such as post knee and hip replacement rehab, sports rehabilitation and many other uses. Plinths and seats that attach to rails will also be available for those with limited mobility. - Magnesium-based, 33.5 degree water
Unlike the harsh water in public pools, our pool is magnesium-based which means less irritation and odour from harsh chemicals. Set at an optimum temperature for hydrotherapy, a warm 33.5-34.5 degrees, and clean and modern setting, your therapy will be beneficial and comfortable all year round. - Cost effective
Therapy plans under the NDIS and Aged Care are always being scrutinised for cost-effectiveness. Being a participant at our pool will save you money on your plan as our providers don’t need to travel. This means more funding for you to spend on your therapy! Funding support may be available under your Private Health Fund, Medicare (with a Team Care Arrangement from your GP), Workcover, My Aged Care Packages, Third party insurance.
As there is no pool like this in Brisbane, we anticipate that spots will fill fast, so book now!
Call the Fizzio for Life office to enquire on 38053223 or use the contact form below.
We are so proud of this facility and really look forward to sharing it’s unique properties with our community!
Hydrotherapy is not only for those who have difficulty with mobility.
Hydrotherapy (or water based exercise) is a fantastic tool to help improve power and function. We all need power as an aspect of our strength, whether it is getting out of a chair, running down the street after the dog, or playing some social netball. Moving at a faster pace with force can be easily and repeatedly done in the pool due to the buoyancy from the water therefore reducing the load felt through the joints.
In short, completing fast moving or jumping exercises (plyometric exercises) in the water helps improve strength, jumping, and sprinting performance on land.
Hydrotherapy is a key tool for improving balance.
Hydrotherapy serves to help improve balance in older populations and also specifically in conditions that negatively impact your balance such as Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy (lack of feeling in your feet and lower limbs), stroke or brain injury or even a knee or hip replacement or injury.
The great thing about practicing your balance in the water is that you have a soft place to land!! This does reduce the fear of falling and therefore you are more likely to try more challenging exercises. The water does provide support to hold you upright and also the water moving against your body can add an additional challenge.
Recent reviews of the research has shown that practicing balance exercises in the water is more beneficial than on land ultimately reducing the risk of falling and therefore also reducing risk of injury and improving ability to complete further physical activity. All of this means an improvement to overall health!
Interested in getting started in the pool? We would be more than happy to help you get started. Get in touch to make this happen.
Hydrotherapy can improve cardiovascular fitness.
Those who have suffered a stroke know all too well how hard it can be to complete everyday tasks – it just takes more energy to do somewhat simple things. This in turn means that often cardiovascular fitness is lower than average in this group of people. This makes being active for longer even harder. Plus there is also the ongoing health risks associated with low cardiovascular fitness including heart disease, diabetes and secondary stroke.
Exercising in the water (Hydrotherapy) allows more support in holding yourself up meaning that movements and exercises that are harder on land or a higher intensity of movement can be reached for longer periods of time.
Recent research articles found that compared to land-based exercise, hydrotherapy was more effective in improving cardiovascular fitness after stroke. This is good news!
If you would like to learn where to start for yourself or someone you care about, our exercise physiologists are the people with the know-how.
Hydrotherapy and diabetes – do they go together?
Approximately 1 million Australians have Type 2 Diabetes and nearly ¾ of them don’t meet the guidelines for exercise that ultimately help maintain the condition.
WAIT WHAT?
We know that exercise helps to manage the sugar in the blood and reduce the rate of onset of symptoms like peripheral neuropathy (reduced nerve activation in the legs causing no feeling), and lowers the increased risk of heart conditions and stroke and decreases the risk of death from diabetes and PEOPLE AREN’T EXERCISING? Why?
Arthritis is a common ailment that can go alongside diabetes – this can cause discomfort during exercise and so maybe avoiding the pain means no exercise is completed.
Maybe the diagnosis is a lot and not being sure what exercise will help makes it hard to get started.
Research has confirmed that Hydrotherapy can be a great way to exercise to increase fitness and strength in those with Type 2 Diabetes. The water reduces the load on joints to moving is so much easier and often much less painful. This allows for strength training to be completed and the heart rate to increase safely with cardiovascular exercise – not only swimming laps, but walking in the water and cycling in the water.
This is great news as glycaemic control (how much your sugar level moves around) is improved and decreases risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Exercising in the water could be a great option for you. Let us help you get moving in the water.
Heart disease or cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term that includes conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, angina, and others.
Heart disease affects more than 4 million Australians with approximately 26% of all deaths and 11% of all hospitalisation attributed to heart disease within Australia.
Heart disease kills 40% more men than women each year with men more frequently admitted to hospital with heart disease each year and men twice as likely to have a heart attack than women. When thinking of heart disease and heart health some of the symptoms include:
- Sense of discomfort in chest lasting more than 30 minutes
- Unexplained pain in chest, neck and jaw
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness or fainting
Men are often known to neglect their health either by thinking it won’t happen to them or ignoring symptoms with a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude. Men are known to put off going to the doctor or health professional when they do have signs and symptoms when a visit could set them on the road to better health. It’s important for men to keep in mind when it comes to heart health and their overall health that it’s not just for themselves but their family that is impacted as well.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Depression
- Physical Inactivity
Exercise is great for the heart as the heart, like any muscle, can benefit from exercise and improve in function. This plays a positive role in the prevention of CVD as well as to rehabilitate after a cardiac incident. When the heart becomes stronger it becomes slower which often reduces blood pressure. Some of the other side effects of exercise apart from cardiovascular benefits are improvements in physiological health as well as bodies ability to process cholesterol and blood sugar all of which contribute to reducing the risk factors for developing heart disease.
Teaming up kids with water can help them meet their land-based goals while having loads of fun.
Children with a disability, recovering from cancer, injury, pain, hypermobility, autism to name a few, all benefit from exercise in the water.
Teaming up kids with the right therapist and with water can help them to reach their land based goals. Sometimes, children can walk in the water before they walk on land! The water supports their body, decreases the weight that they are trying to move around and their fear of falling reduces!
Conditions hydrotherapy can help:
- Developmental delays
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Acquired brain injuries
- Pain conditions
- Downs Syndrome
- Post-surgical or post plaster recovery
- Hypermobility and Ehlers Danlos Disorders
- Post cancer treatment
Older children with neurological conditions and/or hypermobile joints can do more in the water to strengthen the ligaments and musculature stabilising the joints that aren’t so stable on the land.
Joint range of motion can be maintained and maximised in the water using floatation devices to get the most movement out of the joints. The water also resists movement and with the use of lots of fun equipment, the resistance can be increased and progressed resulting in improvements in upper and lower body as well as core strength and stability. Of course there is always time in the sessions for some splashing fun as well!
The list of benefits goes on …
For children with sensory processing disorders, the sensory nature and pressure of the water may dampen over-stimulation and have a calming effect. Research has shown improvements in social interactions and behaviours of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Exercise in the water can also help with weight management, improve sleep and decrease anxiety. All great things for any person, but particularly beneficial for children who are enjoying the exercise because it is in a fun environment.
We understand that swimming isn’t for everyone and just like adults, children don’t always like putting their eyes and ears in the water. There are always adaptations that can be made like completing exercises while floating vertically or keeping their feet on the ground. We will always work with what feels comfortable first and then push forward slowly towards reaching goals. Ensuring actual safety as well as the feeling of safety is of paramount importance.
The first assessment session will occur out of the pool with the child and their parent or carer. This gives time for the gathering of health information but also allows a positive connection with the child and clinician to occur, gaining trust and cooperation ready for the first session at the pool.
If you think hydrotherapy sessions for your child may help them, give us a call to talk it through with our reception staff and arrange an assessment to get started in the pool.
Walking may not feel like much and perhaps isn’t something we think about. It is something that we do everyday and can come in many different ways. Whether that is going out for a morning walk, walking to the train station for work or walking from the bedroom to the kitchen it’s something that is done daily. When our ability to walk is reduced then it has such a large impact on our ability to live life the way we want to.
Here are a few tips for you to work on your balance, stability and control to improve your walking ability.
Strengthen the legs
Strengthening the main muscles used for walking is a simple way to increase your efficiency and control. Stronger muscles won’t have to work as hard and therefore will be able to move for longer before tiring thereby improving your walking tolerance. Simple exercises such as sit to stands and step ups are examples of movements which will strengthen our leg muscles used for walking.
Strengthen the hip and core
A troublesome area for many of us is hip and core coordination and strength can be a barrier to our walking ability. Identifying and then addressing this can be an important step to improving our walking ability. Exercises such as glute bridges and hip isolation exercises help improve hip and core control and improve walking mechanics and our walking capacity.
Stability and balance
Lastly, improving our balance can have a tremendous impact on our stability and ability to walk freely. Balance exercises challenge our legs, hip and core to work together which improves walking stability as well impacting confidence when it comes to walking and falls prevention. Tandem walk (or heel to toe walking) is a great example of a balance exercise which will improve our balance as well as assist in walking stability.
Walking is a simple, cost effective and enjoyable way to complete aerobic exercise which is highly effective in management of chronic diseases. Whilst walking may not feel like much, getting a regular amount has positive benefits on our sleep, mood, muscles joints and heart health. Disease prevention and management is all about developing daily habits and creating a healthy lifestyle which may involve walking. Utilise the tips from ability to improve your walking and improve your wellness.
What actually is the difference between Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists?
One of the reasons this question can be confusing is that they both work within a broad scope of practice and have a lot of crossover.
Physiotherapists use techniques such as soft tissue mobilization (massage), dry needling and joint mobilization, to treat medical conditions, injuries and movement disorders. They mainly assist in the acute or initial stage of rehabilitation where they are able to assess, diagnose and develop a plan for your recovery or rehabilitation. Their main goal is to improve movement, restore function and reduce pain of injured body parts so you are able to return to normal daily activities.
Exercise Physiologists specialize in exercise and movement and are able to prescribe and deliver safe and effective exercise interventions and lifestyle modifications for the prevention and management of chronic diseases and injuries. They mainly assist in the mid to later stages of rehabilitation and use exercise to improve strength, mobility and function of not only the injury, but the whole body. Their main goal is to increase functional capacities and improve overall quality of life and wellbeing.
Commonly physiotherapists and exercise physiologists work together, so you’ll often see a physiotherapist initially and then be referred to an exercise physiologist for further strengthening and long term injury or condition management.
You should see a Physiotherapist if:
- You experience persistent pain that isn’t getting better.
- Your pain is getting worse.
- You know a certain movement will cause pain so you avoid it.
- You have a new injury and need assistance rebuilding strength and mobility
“ I lifted a heavy object and now have a sharp pain in my hip that isn’t going away”
“I had knee surgery 4 weeks ago and need assistance regaining my strength”
You should see an Exercise Physiologist if:
- You want to improve strength, mobility or overall health and well being.
- You have chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or osteoporosis and want to start exercising.
- You have a pre-existing injury that still causes some pain or discomfort from time to time.
“I have diabetes and want to decrease my weight, I also have osteoarthritis in my knee that hurts when I exercise”
“I have asthma and occasional lower back pain and want a safe exercise program I can do myself”
We have both physiotherapists and exercise physiologists at our clinic to ensure you achieve the best treatment outcome possible.
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, call us on 3802 3223.
Many of us have finished the 2021 season vowing to ourselves to do exercise over the summer only for the year to roll around and arrive at the pre season but we are still out of shape but now a year older and none the wiser. After that first session we can be pretty sore and a few days later still sore and we tell ourselves it’s just a niggle but then it lasts for weeks and weeks before we do anything about it, if we do anything about it. Sound familiar? With increasing activity and often rapidly before the season without a base we are at increased risk of soft tissue injuries before the season even starts.
Playing and participating in team sports remains an important part of some Australians’ lifestyles whether that sport is played as a social, weekend, semi professional or elite level.
- 83% of women (over 15 years) participate at least 1x per week and 67% 3x per week.
- Of these 54% participated in sport related activities
- 79% of men (over 15 years) participate at least 1x per week and 60% 3x per week.
- Of these 69% participated in sport related activities
What can be done to mitigate injuries for the millions of Australians currently preparing for another year of sport?
Ease into it
When resuming sport or recreational activity after time off, remember to ease into your activity with a reduced intensity and duration before increasing to previous levels over time.
Warm up
Completing a proper warm up prior to activity can help mitigate injury risks during sport as well as promoting increase in blood flow prior to your event.
Training
Completing an individualised exercise program targeted to your specific sport or activity can not only help improve performance but reduce your chance of injury.
Recovery
Cooling down and allowing the body to recover post activity is important. That can involve proper nutrition and hydration post activity as well as allowing adequate time between activity for the body to properly recover.
So as we approach that time of the year with largest community participation rates, keep in mind the increased injury risk as we ramp up for the season.
Don’t forget to listen to your body and seek professional advice.