XIII. AFTER YOU GO HOME
After approximately 2 days in the hospital, you will be discharged to your home or possibly to a rehabilitation or extended care facility. Rarely, a home therapist or nurse is needed for a short while. It is very important that you follow the doctor's and therapist's instructions and precautions. We will send you home with a detailed written instruction sheet.
Resume your usual medications unless instructed differently. Continue to take iron pills and aspirin for one month.
Gradually increase your activity as is comfortable but be careful not to overdo it! You should use your crutches or walker full-time with partial weight bearing for about 2 to 3 weeks unless special orders have been given. You may drive an automatic car as you feel stronger and are not taking any narcotic medication. If the operative leg is the right, you must break with the left foot. You should not sit in any low chairs to attempt to bend down to put on shoes or socks or cut your toenails. A raised toilet seat should be used for about six weeks. When you sleep you should keep a pillow between your legs and not lie on either side, unless there are two pillows between your legs and you have been instructed how to roll safely toward your unoperated side.
Beginning on the second day after surgery, you may shower with a plastic dressing over your wound. This should be changed to an air permeable dressing after each shower. Ten days after surgery the dressings are no longer needed and the wound may get wet in a shower. At fourteen days post op you may remove the steri-strips. After one month, you may soak the wound in a bath, swimming pool, or spa.
The initial exercises should be gentle and low impact. Perform only the exercises taught to you twice a day. Swimming is permitted when the wound completely heals (at approximately four weeks) but avoid vigorous kicking. Assistance is needed to get in and out of the pool. We encourage a progressive walking program. Gradually increase your time daily. At 6 weeks post op we would like for you to be walking approximately 1 mile without a cane.
You may resume sexual intercourse as soon as it is comfortable but as with all activities be careful to observe the hip precautions and don't overdo it!
Approximately six weeks after your surgery you will return for a follow-up visit with special x-rays. We will progress you to the Phase 2 hip exercise program. At this time you will be allowed to sit past a 90 degree angle, put on your shoes and socks, and cut your toenails.
It is normal for swelling to be present in the operative leg for several months after surgery. If the swelling is accompanied by pain and redness or does not improve with elevation of the leg over night, notify your doctor.
A cane is recommended until you can walk without a limp. As long as you walk without support and a limp, you may do light recreational activities such as biking, playing golf and ballroom dancing. Other activities should be cleared with your doctor first. Return to work is also on an individual basis, depending upon your job requirements, type of surgery, and recovery rate.
Each program is tailored to the individual and his/her needs. Your progress may differ as determined by your doctor. If you had a revision procedure you may need to follow specific precautions for 4 to 6 months. In order to promote maximum durability it is advisable that you minimize impact as much as possible. It is also recommended that you obtain insoles or heel inserts made of impact absorbing material. Firm cushion soles are also advisable.
It is essential that a hip replacement be examined by a physician and x-rayed throughout your lifetime in order to determine the response of your bone to the implant and to detect any signs of pending failure. You should be seen post op at 6 weeks, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years. The length of time between follow-up visits might be lengthened depending on your condition. Patients should be prepared to have specially positioned x-rays so that the status of bone and fixation can be assessed.
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