Hip replacements have come a long way over the last decade with patients getting back on their feet much sooner than in year’s past. However, there are some simple strategies you can follow to heal and get back to your life in no time.

Start Planning Recovery Before Surgery

One of the best ways to recover more quickly is to start your recovery before you have surgery. Although your hip may be causing you pain, a trip to the gym could be your friend before the operation. Walk slowly on a treadmill or do abdominal exercises with weights to build the other muscles in your body. Talk to a personal trainer and explain that you are having hip surgery so they can demonstrate exercises that won’t strain our hip. If your hip injury was due to a slip and fall, you should reach out to an attorney who can help you get the financial assistance you need to prepare you for the surgery as well.

Pain Medication Is Necessary

Immediately after the surgery, don’t resist pain medication in an attempt to just ‘tough it out’. There are newer ways your doctor can set up for you to receive the medication. There are now pumps and epidurals available that allow you to administer pain medication yourself. Be sure to discuss with your doctor how much medication you should be taking and communicate with them honestly about your pain level. Follow the doctor’s instructions and communicate with them in the future if you need more or less medication. After a few days start to ween yourself from the medication until you no longer need it.

Rehab Is Your Friend

The hospital will want you to begin rehab fairly quickly. You need to fight through the pain and do the exercises they recommend as soon as you can. Even if you walk the hallways of the hospital initially, you will begin to see improvement in your mobility. Patients who worked through the pain and focused on the therapist’s recommendations in rehab are able to walk on their own much sooner than those who didn’t start rehab immediately or who did not follow the therapist’s advice.

Hip replacement is performed much more often today than it was even a few years ago. New technologies have made artificial hips much better than they used to be and by following these simple tips, you will find yourself “up on your feet” more quickly.