Well-known Slovak presenter and entertainer Richard Vrablec (52), whom everyone knows thanks to his eternally good mood, surprised him with an honest confession. He revealed that behind his positive demeanor in recent years, great pain was hidden. He spoke openly about his long-term struggle with serious health problems, which significantly limited his movement and almost completely excluded him from ordinary life.
“Life is cruel! Sometimes it surprises you with something that knocks you out of commission. I couldn’t walk for three years, I was in severe pain, but I moderated, giving joy, even through my teeth. Today marks one year since my hip replacement. My life is full again. Thank you,” he wrote.
He did not underestimate the medical procedure and conscientiously prepared for it. He worked daily with the physiotherapist not only before the operation, but also after it, and within 6 weeks he was completely fit. “He has already helped me with my shoulder and a sore back in the past. A rare person, an expert, an incredible approach and professionalism,” he praised him. “Above all, may you be healthy and may life not trouble you, but be fun,” he wished everyone at the end.
The patient’s quality of life can improve significantly after hip replacement, but several conditions must be met. The most important thing is good rehabilitation before and after the operation, experts remind.
According to orthopedists, total endoprosthesis, i.e. replacement of the hip joint, is the last solution in case of serious damage or wear of the cartilage with subsequent bone destruction. “We proceed with replacing the joint only after all treatment options have been exhausted and when it is clear that we will improve the patient’s quality of life with the operation,” says orthopedist Tomáš Jakubík. “Of course, always under the condition that the previous treatment was professional and adequate. Pain relief with pills is not the happiest way,” he reminds.
During the operation, the entire damaged joint is replaced with a titanium replacement. It is composed of two parts – the socket and the head, therefore there may be a risk of dislocation immediately after the operation. Therefore, subsequent rehabilitation and education on how to move the operated leg is important.
„Proper rehabilitation after total endoprosthesis is absolutely unavoidable, but preoperative rehabilitation is equally important.“ said physiotherapist Martin Skladan. “Joint replacement is a relatively demanding and invasive operation that requires a long regeneration and convalescence. Unfortunately, the muscles tend to atrophy and weaken quickly,” he explained.
„The patient is weak at the beginning and it takes him longer to strengthen the muscles again to the pre-operative state. However, if you exercise enough before the procedure, there is a chance of less atrophy and faster regeneration.“ he explained. Immediately after surgery, the patient has a higher risk of developing a blood clot. “Therefore, it is necessary to always apply subcutaneous injections to thin the blood and take medicines to treat swelling and reduce pain,” stresses Jakubík.
Rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible after surgery. “Mostly, it is an outpatient form of rehabilitation after two weeks, when the stitches are already removed. However, if the operation is more demanding, it is recommended to start after six weeks, so that the soft tissues are healed,” explains physiotherapist Skladan. “The first steps include gradually strengthening the muscles of the entire operated lower limb from the fingers to the hip joint. It starts with lighter isometric exercises,“ says the physiotherapist.
“As the days progress and the pain recedes, we slowly add more demanding exercises aimed at increasing the momentum in the operated joint. It is a matter of course that the operated limb is positioned in an axial position, the wound is cooled, and sitting and walking are practiced with the support of two French barrels.“ he added.
Until the soft tissues around the joint heal, the patient must not put full weight on the limb and should walk with two French crutches. “In this phase of rehabilitation, we follow the patient’s feelings, we exercise as much and in such a way that the exercises are comfortable and, above all, painless,” explains Skladan. After this period, the patient can put down the crutch on the operated side and put more and more stress on the leg.
“Further rehabilitation can take up to half a year and is aimed at achieving the full range of motion that the new joint will allow, at the maximum possible strengthening of the muscles and, of course, at re-education of proper walking,” he added. According to him, the duration of rehabilitation is individual, but after about six months the patient can walk independently without crutches.
In the long term, experts recommend that patients maintain an optimal body weight, exercise appropriately and play sports. Moderate recreational movement in the water or on a bicycle is ideal. In case of any infection, a doctor should be consulted immediately so that the inflammation does not reach the implant through the bloodstream.
