Paulina Porizkova, 59, is ‘shocked by lack of pain’ 3 months after double hip replacement — here’s what you need to know about the operation

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Hip replacements can be life-changing, as Paulina Porizkova, 59, shared with her followers. The model says she is shocked by the “absence of pain” she now feels.

“I’m now three months post-op,” she wrote on Instagram, giving an update on her recovery from double hip replacement surgery. Initially, his rehabilitation involved walking for two weeks after the operation before moving to physiotherapy twice a week for the next four weeks, while doing daily exercises in between. For the next six weeks, she underwent physical therapy twice a week at home and exercised regularly.

Porizkova also incorporated daily hikes and massages into her routine. Despite her healthy diet of vegan smoothies and homemade dinners, she noticed a ten-pound weight gain. But the results are worth it: “I am much more flexible than the last two years. I have no pain when I walk,” she writes.

Although she still experiences occasional tightness, she is delighted with her new mobility. “Every morning when I jump out of bed, I’m shocked at the lack of pain,” she said. “Likewise, every time I bend over to pick up dog poop. Or I cross my legs. Or I stand for a while. Or I walk more than a block. Or I ride my Vespa.”

Porizkova even joked about the unexpected benefits: “This has been an unexpected bonus for my sex life,” she wrote alongside a winking face emoji.

For those considering hip replacement surgery, she offered encouragement: “You won’t regret it. »

Earlier this year, Porizkova made headlines for documenting her surgical journey. The model shared the news with her Instagram followers, writing: “Turns out I was born with congenital hip dysplasia – and because of it, the cartilage in my hips is worn away.”

More than 117,000 hip and knee replacements were performed between 2021 and 2022, an increase of 5.9 percent from the previous year, reports the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

With the procedure on the rise thanks to longer life expectancy, increased risk factors and a growing baby boomer population, here’s what you need to know about the surgery, risks, recovery time and more Again.

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What is hip replacement?

Hip replacement, known medically as arthroplasty, is the second most common hospital-based surgical procedure in Canada. The procedure is designed to relieve pain and improve functionality in people with severe damage to the hip joint. The surgical procedure involves removing the damaged joint and replacing it with an artificial implant. The artificial joint mimics the natural movement of the hip joint, allowing for smoother mobility and a better quality of life. It is generally made of metal, polyethylene (plastic) or ceramic.

There are generally three different approaches to performing a hip replacement, including the traditional or posterior approach, the anterior approach, and the lateral approach. The choice of approach depends on a variety of factors, including surgeon preference, patient anatomy, and the specific condition being treated.

Hip replacements are very common surgical procedures for patients over the age of 60, says Dr. Jason Werle, senior medical director of Alberta Health Services. Yahoo Canada. Celebrities like Jane Fonda, Steve Carell, Lionel Richie and Madonna have all undergone this procedure.

“(But) younger patients, between 30 and 50 years old, may have other conditions that may require hip replacement at a young age,” he explains. “The end result is a painful hip with limited range of motion that may require surgery.”

Are there any risks of having hip replacement surgery?

Although rare, some potential complications of hip replacement surgery include:

Double hip replacements come with a slightly increased risk of infection, blood clots and blood transfusion, “but the risks and benefits must be weighed when deciding whether to proceed (with surgery).” , explains Werle.

People who menstruate or have anemia may be at higher risk of blood transfusion due to blood loss. It is also possible that patients will require more than one surgery, but only seven percent of surgeries from 2021 to 2022 required a revision.

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How is recovery after hip replacement?

While Porizkova was up and walking on her own within 18 hours of her surgery, the same can’t be said for everyone.

Recovery from hip replacement surgery is a structured process that involves several phases. The first hospitalization lasts one to three days, during which patients receive postoperative care. Rehabilitation and physical therapy follow, focusing on restoring joint function and gradually building strength.

“Typically, patients stay (until) they can bear weight on the operated leg and manage their pain and exercises independently at home,” says Werle. “Some motivated patients with home support are able to be discharged the same day as their procedure, (which) is increasing across the country in part because of changes in care during the pandemic.”

A double procedure actually has the same recovery time as a single procedure. “This is one of the advantages of (double) procedures, which must be balanced against the slightly increased risks,” explains Werle. Interestingly, hip replacement patients tend to recover more quickly than knee replacement patients.

“A knee that doesn’t bend causes all kinds of problems in daily life,” he adds. “For hip replacements, patients are typically content to walk as part of their recovery because range of motion is not an important postoperative priority.”

From hip surgery to returning to full mobility, the recovery period can take up to two months, but it depends on other factors like age, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions and your fitness level. activity before surgery.

Teresa Stebe, 88, discovered she needed a hip replacement two years ago after having difficulty moving her legs, standing and bending to tend her garden at home. her in Montreal. It took her a while to recover from the procedure, she said: one to two weeks of physical therapy followed by two to three months of slow recovery, which her doctors said went well.

“At first I was limited because I live in a house with my husband and using the stairs, which are part of my daily life, was not an option,” says Stebe. Yahoo Canada. “I had a cane to help me walk the distance and get around, but other than that I didn’t feel too limited.”

“I’m really happy I did it,” she says. “Now I can get back to doing the things I love.”

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How do you know if you need a hip replacement?

Jan Fong-Lee, 56, underwent her first hip replacement at the age of 54 – and her second eight months later. Before his operation, Fong-Lee says Yahoo Canada she experienced decreased mobility and pain, as well as difficulty performing normal daily activities for approximately 10 years.

Other warning signs that something is wrong with your hips include stiffness, damaged hip joints, and inflammation or swelling.

“I wouldn’t be able to walk too far or climb the stairs,” Fong-Lee says. “I was having flare-ups of pain thinking I had injured it while training.”

Fong-Lee says she has a high pain threshold and waited until it got really bad before going to the doctor and finding out she had osteoarthritis. She also learned that she had developed necrosis (tissue breakdown) and a fracture in her left hip.

Although his right hip was not serious at the time, it quickly progressed to bony about two months after his first surgery. “My doctor told me I might consider getting an injection for pain relief, which could save me a year if it worked,” she says, “but I didn’t want to delay.”

An avid runner and active lifestyle, Fong-Lee was relieved to have an answer to her pain. “I felt young to experience this, but also ready because I needed to become active again,” she says. “The pain made me depressed; I couldn’t do the things I loved.

“I wish I had done it sooner.”

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