After orthopedic surgery, how long will it take me to feel “back to normal?”
There are many factors that go into healing and everyone heals at a different rate. Typically, it takes about a year to feel “back to normal.” After receiving surgery to one of your extremities and completing physical therapy, patients usually report continued swelling at the end of the day. After surgery, patients report that swelling is the last symptom to decrease. With any orthopedic surgery, patients will usually gain approximately 80-95% of their original function and strength. However, this all depends on the success of surgery, if a revision was performed, and the overall outcome of physical therapy.
Four weeks ago I had an anterior hip replacement performed by surgeon, I no longer need a walker or a cane. For me, an anterior hip replacement meant faster recovery without as many precautions and fewer pain meds. I have only used over-the-counter pain medicine since I was discharged from the hospital. I am now cleared to “do anything I want to do.” I am looking forward to long, pain free walks which I have not been able to do for some time. Anterior hip replacement might not be the answer for everyone, but it well worth looking into.