Post-op Rehabilitation
An excellent surgery and patient experience for your short stay in the hospital or surgery center is a springboard toward a successful recovery. From the moment you leave the hospital, it is up to you to work hard with physical therapy and on your own to achieve an excellent result that will last the rest of your life!
After hip replacement Surgery
Spend the first few days healing from surgery at home. Afterwards, we recommend you begin working with an outpatient physical therapist at the nearest Golden State Orthopaedics & Spine location.
We will help to coordinate that appointment before you even arrive for your surgery.
Functional Guidelines for Physical Therapy
Weight bearing status: Full weight bearing unless otherwise specified.
Hip Precautions for the first 6 weeks
Posterior – no hip flexion >90 degrees, no crossing legs, no internal rotation
Sleep on your back with pillow between your knees
Anterior – no hip extension and external rotation
Gait: Progression from the use of an assistive device (e.g. cane or walker) to unassisted ambulation is encouraged immediately post-operatively. Progression is per physical therapist discretion with the primary goal of avoiding gait deviations.
Specifics of exercise
No straight leg raises during therapy – this will irritate the iliopsoas muscle and apply additional stress to the healing joint.
IT band and rectus stretching with active abduction IS encouraged.
Bone healing can take 6-8 weeks, respect the healing time and limit swelling by avoiding too aggressive therapy.
When the hip is no longer significantly swollen and painful, progressive strengthening of the quadriceps and hip muscles can begin.
No pool therapy until 6 weeks post-op when the incision is fully healed.
Pain management: Please ensure patient is taking adequate medications for pain management.
The tramadol and oxycodone prescribed are meant for breakthrough and to be taken 1 hour prior to and then after physical therapy or home health exercise.
Some bruising and swelling is expected after surgery. Please instruct the patient on elevation of the lower extremity while seated or lying down to prevent additional bruising and swelling.
After Knee Replacement surgery
Spend the first few days healing from surgery at home doing the exercises provided here on your own. Afterwards, we recommend you begin working with an outpatient physical therapist at the nearest Golden State Orthopaedics & Spine location.
We will help to coordinate that appointment before you even arrive for your surgery.
Functional Guidelines for Physical Therapy
Weight bearing status: Full weight bearing unless otherwise specified.
Gait: Progression from the use of an assistive device (e.g. cane or walker) to unassisted ambulation is encouraged immediately post-operatively. Progression is per physical therapist discretion with the primary goal of avoiding gait deviations.
Specifics of exercise:
It is very important to get your knee straight for proper walking and to regain full strength.
Incorporate extension of surgical knee during sleep and sitting in conjunction with elevation.
Increasing range of motion and healing is the initial goal of physical therapy. Patient should achieve 0 degree of extension and 110 degrees of flexion by 3 weeks post-operatively.
Bone healing can take 6-8 weeks. Respect the healing time and mitigate increases in swelling. Aggressive exercise that constantly increases swelling is not desired.
When the knee is no longer significantly swollen and painful, progressive strengthening of the quadriceps and hip muscles is desired.
No pool therapy until 6 weeks post-op when the incision is fully healed.
Pain management: Please ensure patient is taking adequate medications for pain management.
The tramadol and oxycodone prescribed are meant for breakthrough and to be taken 1 hour prior to and then after physical therapy or home health exercise.
Some bruising and swelling is expected after surgery. Please instruct the patient on elevation of the lower extremity while seated or lying down to prevent additional bruising and swelling.