Things To Consider After a Hip or Knee Replacement

Hip and knee replacements are two of the most common surgical procedures in the UK, with over 100,000 of each performed every year. More than 97 percent are performed on people over 50 years old, and more than half on people aged 70 or over.

People have knee or hip replacements to relieve pain and improve mobility caused by severe arthritis or other joint damage. Osteoarthritis, where cartilage wears down, is one of the most common root causes. Other reasons include rheumatoid arthritis and hip fractures or other joint damage caused by injury.

Having a hip or knee replacement can have a huge impact on quality of life in terms of eliminating joint pain and improving mobility. However, it is major surgery, and recovery can take up to a year depending on your individual circumstances.

Do you need surgery?

For anyone contemplating knee or hip replacement surgery, the number one question is “do I need it?” Of course, this is something that each individual will discuss at length with his or her doctor and orthopaedic surgeon. But put simply, your medical team will consider two metrics when deciding whether surgery is appropriate.

The first is pain. Is your joint pain interfering with basic day to day functions, such as getting good sleep or living a healthy lifestyle? Is it affecting your mood or forcing you to avoid activities that you enjoy? It is important to be completely honest with yourself and your specialist when considering these questions.

The second factor is less subjective and is something the specialist can assess, and that is the condition of the joint. The surgical team will look at x-ray images to determine the extent of any joint space damage or arthritis.

Mobility challenges during surgical recovery

Most people who have knee or hip replacement surgery make a full recovery and lead active lives that they would not have imagined possible when they were suffering with joint pain. Many even go on to enjoy sports and other athletic activities like running and cycling. However, it takes time and rehabilitation. In the days, weeks and even months after surgery, it is inevitable that there will be some mobility challenges. The right living aids that can make life both easier and safer during this difficult period of recovery, while also allowing you to manage independently with minimal help from loved ones.

Walking aids – naturally, one of the biggest challenges after a hip or knee replacement is walking. Your physiotherapist will guide your rehabilitation and will offer advice on exactly what you need and when, but most likely, you will need to use a walking frame or crutches to help you get around at first while the joint heals. Rollators such as the iLite Quantus (pictured above) look stylish and incluce a handy seat to allow you to rest your legs when out and about. When the wheels are locked, this can double up as a perching stool too. 

Then you might transition to a walking stick or cane to provide that little extra support and reassurance as the joint gains strength before you go completely support-free.

Bathroom aids - let’s be honest, none of us like asking for help if we can avoid it - and that is doubly so when it comes to taking care of personal hygiene. Yet statistically, the bathroom is the room in which where we are most likely to take a fall. Bathroom aids like a raised toilet seat, a grab bar and a shower seat are all inexpensive and provide a helping hand to keep you safe and help you preserve your privacy and dignity.

Dressing aids - getting dressed in the morning is a task we take for granted, but in the weeks after surgery, bending and stretching can be a challenge, especially when trying to put on socks and shoes. A few simple dressing aids can make a world of difference. For example, elastic shoelaces are easier to tie from a distance than conventional ones, while the dressing stick is a really useful gadget that can help with shoes, socks and clothing.

Other living aids - bending and twisting will be difficult immediately after surgery. A handy grabber will be useful time and again for everything from reaching items on high shelves to recovering the TV remote when it falls on the floor. Also consider investing in a highbacked chair or stool so you have somewhere to perch while washing or dressing.

Setting off on the road to recovery

It can take several months to recover from a hip replacement, and as long as a year after knee replacement. The exact time will vary depending on your age and general health. Successful and hitch-free recovery is dependent on following the advice you are given by your doctor or consultant.

Immediately after surgery, you will be given pain medication, and the doctors and nurses will encourage you to start walking as soon as possible, often within a few hours. Most people are discharged from hospital and sent home after two to three days, but before you go, you will spend plenty of time with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist, who will talk you through what you can and cannot do and will plan a recovery programme with you.

Naturally, the details of this will vary for each individual depending on your circumstances and the type of surgery you have had. But typically, you will be encouraged to walk every day as far as you can comfortably manage, and to avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time. This will aid recovery, reduce swelling and minimize the risk of blood clots. For knee replacements, your doctor may recommend the use of a knee support to aid recovery - only use if your doctor has suggested it.

You will also be advised to avoid certain types of movement, such as sitting down, bending or twisting. This is where some of those living aids discussed earlier will really prove their worth. A riser recliner can often be an essential aid in recovery. 

There are currently approximately 80,000 people on NHS waiting lists for knee or hip replacements. If you or a loved one are among them, you can feel confident that the wait is worthwhile and that in the majority of cases, the end result will lead to improved mobility and a pain free life.

Successful recovery is all about planning ahead, so take some time to think about what you will need to make life as easy and safe as possible in the weeks after surgery. You can take a look at our living and mobility aids online. Alternatively, we have more than 30 showrooms across the country, so pay us a visit to take a look around and have a chat over a cup of tea!