Hip operations are performed quite frequently in Germany. Especially the endoprosthetic joint replacement has to be considered here. Other surgical techniques may include osteotomies or impingement surgery, which are relatively rare in comparison.
Hip surgery may also be necessary after hip fractures following falls or an accident. Physiotherapeutic follow-up treatment is performed as early as possible, starting directly at the hospital. Every day a physiotherapist should perform exercises with the patient and/or apply lymph drainage. The type of training depends on the operation and the doctor’s instructions regarding post-operative treatment (resilience, freedom of movement).
Why physiotherapy?
In the early phase, the focus is on pain relief, improvement of wound healing and an appropriate increase in mobility. In the further course of the disease, outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation often takes place, in which physiotherapy also plays an important role. Intensive physiotherapy can be supplemented by group exercises and other therapy techniques.
Afterwards, the attending physician can continue to prescribe physiotherapy to the patient so that the therapy can be continued after the patient’s stay in hospital. Usually the therapy takes place in 6 units 1-2 times per week. However, the doctor can also prescribe other guidelines. As a rule, a further follow-up prescription can be issued. Treatment outside of the normal range is only possible in the case of complicated courses of treatment and existing complaints.
Contents of physiotherapy
The contents of the therapy depend on the physician’s specifications regarding the load capacity and mobility of the joint, but are strongly oriented on the wound healing phases that the tissue undergoes after an operation. In general, the following therapeutic goals are on the program: These therapeutic goals are given varying degrees of emphasis in the different stages of wound healing.
- Pain relief
- Support of wound healing
- Improvement of mobility
- Increase in strength
- Improvement of coordination and posture
- And improved everyday resilience
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