Post-Operative Instructions: Hip Core Decompression
Pain Medications
In most cases local or regional nerve blocks will provide 8-12 hours of numbness. As soon as you start to feel the numbness wearing off, begin taking oral pain medication.
Take Tylenol 500mg one tab every 8 hours.
If you still have pain after Tylenol and Indomethacin, take one Norco tab (5mg/325mg).
If you still have pain after all of the above, take a second Norco tab.
Keep in mind Norco has Tylenol in it (325mg). If you take an extra Norco, then skip a dose of Tylenol.DO NOT exceed 3500mg of Tylenol over 24 hours.
It is illegal to drive or operate machinery with narcotic medications.
Do not combine alcohol or other sedatives with narcotic medications.
You do not need to take Tylenol once you no longer have pain. You should stop Norco first (usually after a few days).
Other Medications
Take Aspirin 325mg one tab once a day for the first 4 weeks to prevent blood clots.
Take Zofran as needed for nausea (usually associated with anesthesia/narcotic meds).
Take an over-the-counter stool softener (Docusate/Senna/Miralax) as needed for constipation.
Activity
Use crutches to assist with ambulation.
You may bear 25% of your weight on your operative extremity with your foot flat on the ground.
Elevate your leg on pillows above the heart level as much as possible to decrease swelling.
Avoid prolonged periods standing to prevent excessive pain and swelling.
Recovery Equipment
You will not need a brace unless otherwise instructed.
Cold Therapy
We recommend cold therapy use as much as possible in the first two weeks.
Cold therapy units may be used continuously as instructed.
Ice packs should be applied 30 minutes at a time, with 30 minutes off between applications.
Do not apply ice directly to the skin to avoid burning.
Recovery Exercises
You may perform ankle exercises as instructed in your preoperative packet.
You should lie on your stomach to stretch the front of your hip for 1-2 hours per day.
Your motion goal should be to have 0-90 degrees of hip motion at your initial postoperative visit.
Begin physical therapy as soon as possible, ideally the day after surgery.
Diet: Please refer to your preoperative packet instructions.
Incision Care: Please refer to your preoperative packet instructions.
Emergencies: Please refer to your preoperative packet instructions.
Post-Operative Rehabilitation: Hip Core Decompression
Therapy Plan: Twice per week for 0-2 months, once per week for 2-4 months
ROM Progression
Progress ROM as tolerated after surgery with the goal of symmetric full motion at 6-8 weeks.
Weight Bearing Progression
Initial weight bearing 0-2 weeks after surgery should be 25% body weight with the foot flat on the ground.
Progress weight bearing over weeks 2-4 with the goal of removing crutches at 4 weeks
Do NOT progress to one crutch - gait must be pain free and non-compensatory to remove both crutches
Initial Post-Operative Physical Therapy Visit
Correctly perform 25% maximum body weight foot flat weight bearing with crutches
Instruct on upright (NO recumbent) stationary bike with NO resistance, pedal ONLY with opposite leg
Isometric exercises for core, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings
Phase 1 Physical Therapy (0-4 weeks): protect the joint and avoid irritation
NO open-chain exercises
Manual therapy 20+ minutes per session, stationary bike 20-60 minutes/day (NO resistance)
Soft tissue mobilization, isometric exercises, core strengthening
Phase 2 Physical Therapy (4-8 weeks): non-compensatory gait and progression
Tactile and verbal cueing to enable non-compensatory gait patterning
Soft tissue and joint mobilization, isometric exercises, core strengthening
Standing weight shifts, backward/lateral walking without resistance
Closed-chain strengthening and planks starting at 6 weeks advancing as tolerated
Elliptical may begin at 6 weeks
Phase 3 Physical Therapy (8-12 weeks): return to pre-injury level
Focus on functional exercises in all planes, advance only when fully controlled
Soft tissue and joint mobilization, closed-chain exercises, core strengthening
Strengthening: lunges, resisted side steps, planks
Slide board and hip rotation movements may begin at 10-12 weeks
Phase 4 Physical Therapy (12+ weeks): return to sport
Full return may take a full 4-6 months or more
Soft tissue and joint mobilization, closed-chain exercises, core strengthening
Agility drills and pool (or Alter G) running may begin at 12 weeks
Straight running and cutting may begin at 16 weeks
Plyometric and sport-specific drills may begin at 16 weeks