FAQ's
1. How long will I be off work?
Sedentary work can be resumed within one to two weeks. Labour intensive work maybe delayed for up to eight to 12 weeks.
2. How long until I can drive?
Three to four weeks, as long as you are feeling well enough and are off strong painkillers.
3. Will there be any rehab involved?
Yes, it will be relatively intense for the first two to three weeks and then will continue for as long as three to six months. This involves both, physiotherapy and biokinetics.
4. How long before I can exercise?
The stationary bicycle and elliptical trainer are a part of the rehabilitation process and may begin as early as the first week. The decision will be determined by the physiotherapist’s assessment and the doctor’s instructions, based on operation or reconstruction performed.
5. During surgery, will I be put under general anaesthetic?
General anaesthesia is recommended. It is often combined with peripheral nerve blocks. Spinal or epidural anaesthesia can be used if indicated.
6. Will I have crutches after surgery and how long will I use them?
Yes, for at least three weeks and up to six weeks. Your progress within rehabilitation, together with the extent of the tear and / or associated problems, will determine the weaning process.
7. What kind of restrictions will I have after surgery?
Non-weight bearing (on crutches) for five to seven days and progression to partial and full-weight bearing as tolerated. This will be altered or slowed slightly if articular cartilage problems are found and treated.
8. Is it possible that I have damaged cartilage and how will you find this out prior or during surgery?
Yes. As hip arthroscopy techniques become more refined, the incidence and ability to treat cartilage problems are both increasing. The presence of cartilage lesions (articular cartilage) is specifically defined at the time of surgery.
9. If I don’t have surgery, can I ever play soccer or other active / aggressive sports again? If I rested for a while and felt better, can I cause more damage if I go back to my normal activities?
Conservative care is always an option. If you follow a conservative treatment plan of active rest, stretching and strengthening, the pain and swelling may go down. If however, you have a labral tear which is a mechanical issue, the pain and swelling will return once you return to your chosen sport.
10. Will surgery prevent further damage to the ligament / cartilage? What are the chances of reoccurrence?
Surgery is performed to relieve pain and to reduce worsening of the tear. There is no assurance that a tear will not reoccur. Recurrent tears are, however, unusual.
11. How much could the pain subside without surgery?
The pain may wax and wane, but is not likely to decrease significantly for an extended period of time without surgical intervention. There is a high probability that decreasing or aborting physical/aggravating activity (ie. stopping with sports) will decrease the symptoms in the short run.
12. What can I do to put less tension on the hip and are there any exercises, stretches or devices to use to help me sleep better?
All activities, even rolling over in bed can cause hip stress /pain. The most important exercises are those that create normal flexibility and protective strength around your hip.
13. Is it possible that I could feel worse after the surgery?
Though feeling worse after surgery is always a possibility, but in this case post operative pain medication and anti-inflammatories are prescribed.
14. Is there anything I can do to give me any relief now as ice and heat seem to only do so much?
Pain medication can be taken but is not recommended immediately prior to surgery. Anti-inflammatories can also be combined with pain medication. Discuss that with your doctor, there are medications that can interfere with the operation.
15. What about dental care and antibiotics after a hip replacement?
You will need to take antibiotics either before or after your dental treatment, especially if there is going to be any bleeding. Please inform your dentist prior to any surgery that you have had undergone a hip replacement. Your dentist should prescribe the necessary medication.
Sedentary work can be resumed within one to two weeks. Labour intensive work maybe delayed for up to eight to 12 weeks.
2. How long until I can drive?
Three to four weeks, as long as you are feeling well enough and are off strong painkillers.
3. Will there be any rehab involved?
Yes, it will be relatively intense for the first two to three weeks and then will continue for as long as three to six months. This involves both, physiotherapy and biokinetics.
4. How long before I can exercise?
The stationary bicycle and elliptical trainer are a part of the rehabilitation process and may begin as early as the first week. The decision will be determined by the physiotherapist’s assessment and the doctor’s instructions, based on operation or reconstruction performed.
5. During surgery, will I be put under general anaesthetic?
General anaesthesia is recommended. It is often combined with peripheral nerve blocks. Spinal or epidural anaesthesia can be used if indicated.
6. Will I have crutches after surgery and how long will I use them?
Yes, for at least three weeks and up to six weeks. Your progress within rehabilitation, together with the extent of the tear and / or associated problems, will determine the weaning process.
7. What kind of restrictions will I have after surgery?
Non-weight bearing (on crutches) for five to seven days and progression to partial and full-weight bearing as tolerated. This will be altered or slowed slightly if articular cartilage problems are found and treated.
8. Is it possible that I have damaged cartilage and how will you find this out prior or during surgery?
Yes. As hip arthroscopy techniques become more refined, the incidence and ability to treat cartilage problems are both increasing. The presence of cartilage lesions (articular cartilage) is specifically defined at the time of surgery.
9. If I don’t have surgery, can I ever play soccer or other active / aggressive sports again? If I rested for a while and felt better, can I cause more damage if I go back to my normal activities?
Conservative care is always an option. If you follow a conservative treatment plan of active rest, stretching and strengthening, the pain and swelling may go down. If however, you have a labral tear which is a mechanical issue, the pain and swelling will return once you return to your chosen sport.
10. Will surgery prevent further damage to the ligament / cartilage? What are the chances of reoccurrence?
Surgery is performed to relieve pain and to reduce worsening of the tear. There is no assurance that a tear will not reoccur. Recurrent tears are, however, unusual.
11. How much could the pain subside without surgery?
The pain may wax and wane, but is not likely to decrease significantly for an extended period of time without surgical intervention. There is a high probability that decreasing or aborting physical/aggravating activity (ie. stopping with sports) will decrease the symptoms in the short run.
12. What can I do to put less tension on the hip and are there any exercises, stretches or devices to use to help me sleep better?
All activities, even rolling over in bed can cause hip stress /pain. The most important exercises are those that create normal flexibility and protective strength around your hip.
13. Is it possible that I could feel worse after the surgery?
Though feeling worse after surgery is always a possibility, but in this case post operative pain medication and anti-inflammatories are prescribed.
14. Is there anything I can do to give me any relief now as ice and heat seem to only do so much?
Pain medication can be taken but is not recommended immediately prior to surgery. Anti-inflammatories can also be combined with pain medication. Discuss that with your doctor, there are medications that can interfere with the operation.
15. What about dental care and antibiotics after a hip replacement?
You will need to take antibiotics either before or after your dental treatment, especially if there is going to be any bleeding. Please inform your dentist prior to any surgery that you have had undergone a hip replacement. Your dentist should prescribe the necessary medication.
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