Finding Excellent Home Health Care Services

When you have hip surgery, you'll have to leave the hospital before you've fully recovered unless you have some other medical condition. You'll need to go to a rehab center in a nursing home, or if you're in good physical health, your doctor may let you go home to recover. You'll have physical therapy initially in the hospital to make sure you can stand and transfer to a chair safely. You don't want to stay in bed for days because that will prolong your recovery and put you at risk for a blood clot. To continue with your healing, your doctor may order physical therapy treatments to be taken at home. Here are some things your therapist will help you do:

Build Endurance For Walking

It will take a few weeks to a few months to walk normally after you've had hip surgery. The first few days you may be weak and unsteady on your feet. You'll also need pain medications for several days and these might make you drowsy and affect your balance. A physical therapist makes sure you walk safely. You'll be taught how to protect your hip while you walk. You'll walk with assistance and walk farther each time so you can build up your strength and endurance.

Walking may be painful, but it is important for several reasons. It increases circulation, which can speed your healing. It keeps your muscles and joints active so you don't suffer complications from being sedentary. Plus walking might improve your mood since you may be cooped up in your house for several days until you've recovered enough to go outside.

Learn Stretching Moves

Stretches keep you flexible and limber. They help you maintain your range of motion when you may not be moving as much as usual due to pain and weakness. Your therapist will help you with the stretches initially and once you learn them, you can do them daily by yourself every day until your recovery is complete. Stretching regularly might also reduce the amount of scar tissue that develops after the surgery. The scar tissue could contribute to pain and limited range of motion so the less scarring you have, the better.

Perform Muscle-Building Exercises

Your therapist may teach you other exercises as well. These could be exercises that strengthen your core muscles, your back, and your legs. Strong muscles support your hip and improve your balance so you can walk without fear of falling. Doing the exercises properly is important, so your therapist will guide you in the proper procedure initially, then you can do the exercises by yourself. You may even have passive exercises at first if you're not able to move much on your own.

A physical therapist is helpful when you recover from hip surgery whether you recover at home, in a rehab unit, or a hospital. Having a therapist come to your home ensures you progress as expected and it gives your doctor feedback on your condition.

Contact a medical clinic like Morano Rehabilitation for more information and assistance.