Hip Replacement Recovery in Sonora

Helping you heal after surgery

After undergoing a hip replacement procedure, you will need plenty of time to rest and recover. Hip replacement surgery usually requires an in-hospital stay of three to four days.

It is important to begin moving the new joint after surgery. A physical therapist will meet with you soon after your surgery and plan an exercise program for you. Your pain will be controlled with medication so you can participate in the exercise. You will be given an exercise plan to follow both in the hospital and after discharge.

You will be discharged to go home or to a rehabilitation center. In either case, your physician will arrange for continuation of physical therapy until you regain muscle strength and good range of motion.

Recovery at home

Once you are home, it is important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Your physician will give you specific bathing instructions.

The stitches or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit. Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your physician. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medications.

Notify your physician to report any of the following:

• Fever
• Redness, swelling, bleeding or other drainage from the incision site
• Increased pain around the incision site
• Numbness and/or tingling in the affected leg

You may resume your normal diet unless your physician advises you differently. You should not drive until your physician tells you to. Other activity restrictions may apply. Full recovery from the surgery may take several months. It is important that you avoid falls after your hip replacement surgery because a fall can result in damage to the new joint. Your therapist may recommend an assistive device (such as a cane or walker) to help you walk until your strength and balance improve.

Making certain modifications to your home may also help you during your recovery.

These modifications include but are not limited to:

• Proper handrails along all stairs
• Safety handrails in the shower or bath
• Shower bench or chair
• Raised toilet seat
• Stable chair with firm seat cushion and firm back with two arms, which will allow your knees to be positioned lower than your hips
• Long-handled sponge and shower hose
• Dressing stick
• Sock aid
• Long-handled shoe horn
• Reaching stick to grab objects
• Firm pillows to raise the hips above the knees when sitting
• Removing loose carpets and electrical cords that may cause you to trip

Your physician may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.