Pain after A Hip Replacement
When it comes to pain management after a hip replacement surgery, the first question that comes to your mind is how much post-operative pain is normal. During this surgery, the surgeon would remove the damaged parts of your hip joint. They would be replaced using artificial parts that could be made from raw materials, such as metal, plastic, or ceramic. You can expect that these parts would improve the range of motion you can perform with your hip in the long run. However, since this is a surgical procedure you should expect to experience some pain in the short term directly after the operation.
Difficult to determine how much pain you would feel at this stage
It is really hard to predict how much pain or discomfort you would experience immediately or for a few days following the surgery. Individuals have different pain thresholds and tolerances. You should always tell your doctor the kind of pain you are feeling at any stage – you should inform them how severe the pain is. They would provide you some directions for managing the pain.
It is your duty to follow them as well as you can.
Over-the-counter medicines
Over-the-counter medicines can provide effective pain relief. The most prominent example of such a medicine is Tylenol, which is acetaminophen. You should not have more than 2000 to 3000 mg of these per day, as anything over this level is unsafe. Your doctor will advise on this.
What happens when these medicines do not work?
Sometimes over-the-counter medicines do not work. In such situations, you should get a prescription for stronger medicine. It is for your doctor to determine if that particular prescription painkiller is the right option for you.
She or he would create a schedule for you with clear instructions on dosage and frequency of use.
Conclusion: Living with pain in your hip can be a debilitating and frustrating experience. This is especially with regard to the way in which it can affect your normal daily routine. In some cases, you may have difficulty in merely getting enough sleep or walking upstairs. Over the counter hip treatments and or prescription painkillers are often the answer for dealing with postoperative hip pain and it is highly recommended that you discuss your pain relief with your doctor.
