Hip Replacement Surgery Pinehurst, NC

Pedal to the Metal: 3 Reasons to Avoid Driving After Hip Replacement Surgery

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Hip Replacement SurgeryUndergoing any surgery, especially hip replacement surgery, is physically and emotionally taxing on any individual. As one of the most important aspects of this type of surgery, however, it’s important that you avoid doing certain things like driving while in recovery. Although it may be hard to rely on others for rides to and from work, home, or the grocery store, abstaining from driving is important for several reasons.

You May Be On Narcotics

One of the biggest considerations to make before getting behind the wheel while you’re in recovery is narcotic use. Although narcotics can be safe to use for a brief amount of time to ease your pain and discomfort, they will impair your judgment and make you a liability while on the road.

You May Not Have Strength

Physical therapy is the best way to gain your strength back after having a hip replacement, but it takes some time to get results. Right after surgery and for the first several weeks afterward, you may not have the strength needed to do things like push on the brake and gas pedals— which makes it impossible to drive. After a combination of physical therapy and at-home exercises, you should start to gain back your strength and hopefully be able to drive before you know it.

You May Not Have Your Reflexes Back

One of the best things they teach when you’re 16 and in Driver’s Ed. is defensive driving, aka acting on your reflexes. However, after you have hip replacement surgery, your reflexes won’t be quite as reactive as they once were which makes you a danger on the road. During physical therapy, you will work on strengthening your new hip joint so that your reflexes are razor sharp again. As soon as you get your reflexes back, you may get the approval to start driving again.

Before you get back behind the wheel, it’s important that you are off narcotics, and that you have your strength and reflexes back.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. John Moore today to learn more about hip replacement surgery.

hip replacement surgery Pinehurst NC

3 Myths About Hip Replacement Surgery Debunked

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hip replacement surgery Pinehurst, NCYou may know how to throw a little hip into it on the dance floor, and you may even consider yourself to be “hip” characteristically, but having a bad hip, is a whole other deal. If you have a broken hip, a hip with bad ligaments, or one that simply needs to be repaired, then Dr. John Moore may recommend that you get hip replacement surgery. To help you better understand this surgery, we have created a brief article debunking three common myths. Read on to learn more.

Myth #1: They’re Only For Old People

Wearing dentures, using a cane, and having hip replacement surgery may be common characteristics that accompany old age, but that doesn’t mean they only inflict the old. In fact, patients of all ages can have to get a hip surgery done to deal due to things like arthritis or a sports related injury.

Myth #2: It Won’t Feel Natural

Having anything foreign in your body may sound a bit frightening, but it doesn’t have to be that way. One myth about hip replacements is that they won’t feel natural. However, with the advancements of technology and with plenty of healing time, your hip replacement should feel just as natural as your regular hip— but without the discomfort.

Myth #3: You Won’t Be Able to Walk for Weeks After Surgery

Recovery from any surgery— including hip replacement surgery— can be tough and aggressive. However, if you have fallen for the myth that you won’t be able to walk for weeks after surgery, that is so false. In fact, we encourage our patients to get up and walk around just a few hours after surgery— this will help your hip heal properly and will prevent things like scar tissue from building up.

Having hip replacement surgery can seem like a bigger deal than it is. With the right care from Dr. John Moore, you should be able to enjoy your new hip in just a matter of weeks. To learn more about hip replacement surgery or schedule an appointment, contact Dr. John Moore’s office today!

Hip Pain? 3 Stretches to Try at Home

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Whether you’ve been walking more, lifting more weight, or participating in a high-intensity workout, these simple changes can make your hip hurt in a bad way. And one of the worst parts about hip pain is that it doesn’t matter whether you’re in your twenties or seventies— you can still get it. Luckily, as one of the best ways to get rid of pain, stretching can be done from the comfort of your own home. By breaking up the lactic acid in your hips and stretching out the supporting muscles, you can help to alleviate any pain. If you have just started experiencing hip pain and would like to get some relief, consider trying these three stretches at home. Read on to learn more.

The Frog

No, you aren’t going to jump over any lily pads to do this stretch. To do The Frog stretch, get on your hands and knees and slowly widen your legs as far as they will go, bringing your feet along with them— the wider your legs open out, the more of a stretch you should feel in your hips. Once your hips legs have gotten to the widest point possible, flex your feet and lean your torso forward with your arms extended in front of you— this should stretch out your hips even further.

Seated Fourth Position

If you have ever taken a ballet class, you are familiar with the first, second, third, and fourth position. To really stretch the outer part of your hips muscles, try this stretch. Sitting on the floor with your knees bent, take your right shin so that it is positioned in front of you, and drop your left shin and hip to the floor. Inhaling slowly, push your left hip forward until you start to feel a stretch.

Seated Pigeon

If you have ever taken a yoga class, then you know all about how well the seated pigeon can stretch out your hips and buttocks. To do this position sit on the floor with your knees bent. Then, grab your left legs and fold it across your right leg so that your left ankle is touching your right knee. Repeat on both sides.

If you start to experience a lot of pain at any point while doing these stretches, try switching it up. To learn more about hip stretches and pain, contact Dr. John Moore to discuss your treatment options. With a variety of tests, Dr. John Moore will be able to create a treatment plan for you and your recovery.

 

 

3 Things to Know About Hip Replacement Surgery

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hip replacementBeing told that you need hip replacement surgery is no trip to Disneyland. In fact, hip replacement surgery is one of the most intense surgeries to recover from— meaning that you will need both patience and plenty of rest in order to get the healing process done correctly. If you have recently been told you that you need to have hip replacement surgery but you aren’t quite sure what to expect, here are three things that you should know.

1.It Takes A Lot Of Healing Time
If you are the type of person that wants to get up and running even when you have a cold, then hip replacement surgery might be a bit difficult for you. As one of the things that many people don’t realize beforehand, it takes a lot of healing time until you are fully recovered from surgery. In fact, for about 6 months to a year following surgery, you should avoid doing things such as pivoting or twisting your leg— as this will only exacerbate the problem and could potentially damage your joints.

2. You Can’t Play Certain Sports
If you used to be an avid runner or athlete, then you should know that you likely won’t be able to participate in the sports at the same level that you once were able to. And although it may be devastating to hear, consider taking up a new sport or hobby that is gentler on your hip. Specifically, try to take up things such as walking and avoid sports or activities that require a lot of jumping or moving side to side. If you are unsure whether or not you are permitted to play a certain type of sport or participate in a certain activity, ask Dr. John Moore.

3. It Doesn’t Last Forever
Just like with most replacement surgeries, hip replacement surgery doesn’t last for forever. However, it does last in the upwards of twenty years, which means that it should hopefully last the length of your lifetime. If you do outlive your hip replacement, however, it can be redone.

To learn more about hip replacement surgery or to schedule a consultation with Dr. John Moore, contact our office today!