Monday 5 August 2013

Pain Relief After a Hip Replacement

After a hip replacement there are many ways to achieve pain relief and have a successful recovery.  If your practice includes regular hip replacements make sure you have the medical devices you need, like topical pain relief and electrotherapy to aid the recovery process.  Learn more about recovery options and pain relief for hip replacements.

A hip replacement is a surgical procedure where the diseased hip is removed.  Osteoarthritis is often the major culprit to hip deterioration.  If the body's healing capacity cannot overcome the injuries to the hip, a replacement is often a warranted procedure.  An artificial joint or prosthesis typically replaces the joint.  Quite often electrotherapy is tried before an invasive procedure, like a hip replacement is undertaken.  But, if a patient is not responding to electrotherapy treatment or rehabilitation, and is in severe pain and experiencing a disability, a hip replacement is warranted.

Signs that a hip replacement may be necessary:
  • Those with hip conditions
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ligament damage or infection
  • Gout
  • Avascular Necrosis
  • Abnormal bone growth
  • Tumors
  • Hip fractures

Factors used to help decide about hip replacement:
  • Injury severity and diagnosis
  • Degree of disability and pain
  • Age, occupation and activity of patient
  • Expected improvement from surgery
  • Medical history
  • Potential complications
  • Cost

After surgery, there is great variation of symptoms experienced by the patient.  The reason is based on  a wide variety of factors, like age, degree of degeneration, type of pain relief medication used, etc.  Some only experience minor symptoms like soreness and stiffness.  Others will have a much longer road to recovery.

Physiotherapy is a successful way to treat patients after he or she is discharged from the hospital.  Crutches are important medical device, usually needed for a few days to weeks per the instruction of the surgeon and treating doctor. Patients typically need to sleep with a pillow between their legs.  Putting stress on the hip should be avoided.  Using the RICE regime is beneficial a few days after surgery or whenever signs of inflammation are present.  Anti-inflammatory medication can also help the healing process by reducing the pain that accompanies inflammation.  When it's appropriate regular flexibility and strengthening exercises should be started for rehabilitation.  It's important to restore the hip's range of motion and build strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves.  Electrotherapy becomes a great treatment to improve scar tissue flexibility and range of motion.  This procedure is most effective when done in the first six to twelve weeks after surgery.    

Pain relief and recovery are important for those who have undergone a hip replacement.  To see your patient through the entire process, there are a variety of medical devices needed.  Electrotherapy and other pain relief products can be purchased through wholesaleelectrodes.com.  You'll appreciate getting these medical devices from a trusted source at wholesale prices.  By having the right treatment options, including pain relief, for your patient, he or she will likely be more compliant to following the doctor's orders.

No comments:

Post a Comment