Helpful Guide on Recovering From Hip Replacement Surgery
Once you've gone undergone your hospital stay for hip replacement surgery, the next few weeks will entail caring for yourself so that your new joint heals correctly.
The following guide outlines the ways you can speed your recovery at home.
Wound Care
After your hip replacement surgery, you will either have stitches or staples along the wound or a suture beneath your skin. Do not allow the wound to get wet until it's had time to thoroughly close and dry. The stitches or staples will generally be removed after 2 weeks. Initially, you will also keep a bandage over the wound to prevent it from getting irritated by clothing.
Movement
Your surgeon and physical therapist will give you comprehensive instructions after your operation to ensure you don't dislocate your new hip joint as it heals. The main points to follow regarding movement are:
? Don't cross your legs.
? Don't bend your hips more than at a right angle (90?).
? Don't turn your feet excessively inward or outward.
? When sleeping, place a pillow between your legs - this helps with alignment and when your doctor feels the prosthesis is sufficiently healed, he/she will tell you to discontinue this.
Mobility Assistance
While you regain your strength, your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist will help you choose the right assistive aid until you improve your balance and flexibility - a fall could seriously damage your new hip prosthesis and result in the need for another operation, so you will need to be careful and patient in the beginning. Mobility aids include canes, crutches, walkers and handrails. You will be advised by your doctor when you can discontinue using them.
Exercise
It will be normal to feel some discomfort when moving and at night following your operation, however it's very important to do mild exercise to help your new hip joint settles in and regain its flexibility, particularly during the first few weeks. Your physical therapist will outline an exercise program for you to strengthen your prosthesis - the typical recommended regime will include a gradual walking routine, starting with initially moving about your home and then as you progress you will take strolls outside. This must be consistently done to strengthen your mobility and endurance. Also try to do as much of your normal household activities as possible, such as sitting, standing, tidying and climbing stairs. Generally, you can expect to resume normal light activities within 3 to 6 weeks following the surgery.
Healthy Diet
You will probably experience some loss of appetite for a few weeks after your surgery, however to help your body heal successfully it's very important to eat a healthy, balanced diet, often with an iron supplement. This will aid tissue healing and muscle strength. Also make sure your drink plenty of fluids.
Preventing Post-Surgery Complications
Infection is always a risk following an operation. The most common way that patients contract an infection after their hip replacement surgery is through bacteria that enters their bloodstream during dental procedures, skin infections and urinary tract infections. The bacteria then settle around the hip prosthesis. To avoid this risk, make sure you ask your doctor for antibiotics if you're scheduled for any other surgical procedure or dental work, including dental cleanings.
Another potential risk, particularly during the first several weeks after surgery, is developing blood clots. It's vital to keep your eye out for possible warning signs in your ankle, foot, calf and leg, such as pain that is unrelated to your surgical wound, swelling, tenderness and redness. Also, if a blood clot manages to travel to your lungs it can be lethal, so if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain (especially when breathing), it's important to notify your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
The above advice will help your home recovery go as smoothly as possible following your hip replacement surgery With vigilance and good care, you should be able to resume normal daily activities before you know it.
The following guide outlines the ways you can speed your recovery at home.
Wound Care
After your hip replacement surgery, you will either have stitches or staples along the wound or a suture beneath your skin. Do not allow the wound to get wet until it's had time to thoroughly close and dry. The stitches or staples will generally be removed after 2 weeks. Initially, you will also keep a bandage over the wound to prevent it from getting irritated by clothing.
Movement
Your surgeon and physical therapist will give you comprehensive instructions after your operation to ensure you don't dislocate your new hip joint as it heals. The main points to follow regarding movement are:
? Don't cross your legs.
? Don't bend your hips more than at a right angle (90?).
? Don't turn your feet excessively inward or outward.
? When sleeping, place a pillow between your legs - this helps with alignment and when your doctor feels the prosthesis is sufficiently healed, he/she will tell you to discontinue this.
Mobility Assistance
While you regain your strength, your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist will help you choose the right assistive aid until you improve your balance and flexibility - a fall could seriously damage your new hip prosthesis and result in the need for another operation, so you will need to be careful and patient in the beginning. Mobility aids include canes, crutches, walkers and handrails. You will be advised by your doctor when you can discontinue using them.
Exercise
It will be normal to feel some discomfort when moving and at night following your operation, however it's very important to do mild exercise to help your new hip joint settles in and regain its flexibility, particularly during the first few weeks. Your physical therapist will outline an exercise program for you to strengthen your prosthesis - the typical recommended regime will include a gradual walking routine, starting with initially moving about your home and then as you progress you will take strolls outside. This must be consistently done to strengthen your mobility and endurance. Also try to do as much of your normal household activities as possible, such as sitting, standing, tidying and climbing stairs. Generally, you can expect to resume normal light activities within 3 to 6 weeks following the surgery.
Healthy Diet
You will probably experience some loss of appetite for a few weeks after your surgery, however to help your body heal successfully it's very important to eat a healthy, balanced diet, often with an iron supplement. This will aid tissue healing and muscle strength. Also make sure your drink plenty of fluids.
Preventing Post-Surgery Complications
Infection is always a risk following an operation. The most common way that patients contract an infection after their hip replacement surgery is through bacteria that enters their bloodstream during dental procedures, skin infections and urinary tract infections. The bacteria then settle around the hip prosthesis. To avoid this risk, make sure you ask your doctor for antibiotics if you're scheduled for any other surgical procedure or dental work, including dental cleanings.
Another potential risk, particularly during the first several weeks after surgery, is developing blood clots. It's vital to keep your eye out for possible warning signs in your ankle, foot, calf and leg, such as pain that is unrelated to your surgical wound, swelling, tenderness and redness. Also, if a blood clot manages to travel to your lungs it can be lethal, so if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain (especially when breathing), it's important to notify your doctor immediately.
Conclusion
The above advice will help your home recovery go as smoothly as possible following your hip replacement surgery With vigilance and good care, you should be able to resume normal daily activities before you know it.
