After having a total hip replacement, you may expect your lifestyle to be a lot like how it was before surgery — but without the pain. In many ways, you are right, but returning to your everyday activities will take time. Being an active participant in the healing process can help you get there sooner and ensure a more successful outcome. Even though you will be able to resume most activities, you may have to change the way you do them. For example, you may have
to learn new ways of bending down that keep your new hip safe. The suggestions you find here will help you enjoy your new hip while you safely resume your daily routines. Your hospital stay will typically last from 1 to 2 days, depending on the speed of your recovery. If your hip replacement is done on an outpatient basis, you will go home on the same day as surgery. Before you are discharged from the hospital, you will need to accomplish several goals, such as:
If you are not yet able to accomplish these goals, it may be unsafe for you to go directly home after discharge. If this is the case, you may be temporarily transferred to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing center. When you are discharged, your healthcare team will provide you with information to support your recovery at home. It is important to have a family member or other caregiver with you when reviewing these instructions, as it will be helpful for them to be prepared for your recovery at home. Although the complication rate after total hip replacement is low, when complications do occur, they can prolong or limit full recovery. Hospital staff will discuss possible complications, and review with you the warning signs of problems such as an infection or a blood clot. Warning Signs of Infection
Warning Signs of a Blood Clot
In very rare cases, a blood clot may travel to your lungs and become life-threatening. Signs that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs include:
You should notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the above signs. You will need some help at home anywhere from several days to several weeks after discharge. Before your surgery, arrange for a friend, family member, or caregiver to provide help at home. Preparing Your HomeThe following tips can help make your return home more comfortable, and can be addressed before your surgery:
Wound CareDuring your recovery at home, follow these guidelines to take care of your wound and help prevent infection:
SwellingExpect moderate to severe swelling in the first few weeks after surgery. You may also have mild to moderate swelling for 3 to 6 months after surgery. To reduce swelling, elevate your leg slightly and apply ice. Wearing compression stockings may also help reduce swelling. Notify your doctor if you experience new or severe swelling, since this may be the warning sign of a blood clot. MedicationTake all medications as directed by your doctor. Home medications may include opioid and non-opioid pain pills, oral or injectable blood thinners, stool softeners, and anti-nausea medications. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all your medications — even over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and vitamins. Your doctor will tell you which over-the-counter medicines are safe to take while using prescription pain medication. It is especially important to prevent any bacterial infections from developing in your artificial joint. Some patients with special circumstances may be required to take antibiotics prior to dental work to help prevent infection. Ask your doctor if you should take antibiotics before dental work. You may also wish to carry a medical alert card so that, if an emergency arises, medical personnel will know you have an artificial joint. Diet
Once you get home, you should stay active. The key is to not do too much, too soon. While you can expect some good days and some bad days, you should notice a gradual improvement over time. Generally, the following guidelines will apply: Weight BearingFollow your doctor's specific instructions about the use of a cane, walker, or crutches and when you can put weight on the leg. Full weightbearing may be allowed immediately or may be delayed by several weeks depending on the type of hip replacement you have undergone and your doctor's instructions. DrivingIn most cases, it is safe to resume driving when you are no longer taking opioid pain medication, and when your strength and reflexes have returned to a more normal state. Your doctor will help you determine when it is safe to resume driving. Sexual ActivityPlease consult your doctor about how soon you can safely resume sexual activity. Depending on your condition, you may be able to resume sexual activity within several weeks after surgery. Sleeping PositionsDepending on your surgery, your doctor may ask you to avoid certain sleeping positions or to sleep with a pillow between your legs for a length of time. Ask your doctor which sleeping positions are safest and most appropriate for you. Return to WorkDepending on the types of activities you do on the job and the speed of your recovery, it may take from several days to several weeks before you are able to return to work. Your doctor will advise you when it is safe to resume your normal work activities. Sports and ExerciseContinue to do the exercises prescribed by your physical therapist for at least 2 months after surgery. In some cases, your doctor may recommend riding a stationary bicycle to help maintain muscle tone and keep your hip flexible. As soon as your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you can return to many of the sports activities you enjoyed before your hip replacement:
Air TravelPressure changes and immobility may cause your operated leg to swell, especially if it is just healing. Ask your doctor before you travel on an airplane. When going through security, be aware that the sensitivity of metal detectors varies and your artificial joint may cause an alarm. Tell the screener about your artificial joint before going through the metal detector. Dos and don'ts (precautions) vary depending on your doctor's surgical technique and preferences. Your doctor and physical therapist will provide you with a list of dos and don'ts to remember with your new hip. These precautions will help to prevent the new joint from dislocating and ensure proper healing. Some of the most common precautions are listed below. Ask your doctor if these precautions apply to you. The Don'ts
The Dos
What should the nurse teach the client recovering from a total hip arthroplasty to avoid?Precautions may include that you don't bend forward more than 90 degrees, and do not lift your knee on the surgery side higher than your hip. Also, don't cross your legs or rotate your leg outward, or twist or pivot your operated hip.
How should the nurse turn a patient who had a total hip replacement yesterday?In cases where the patient needs to be turned, the operative hip must be kept in abduction and the entire length of the leg supported by pillows. The hip of the patient should NOT be flexed more than 45 to 60 degrees. To prevent acute hip flexion, the head of the bed should not be elevated more than 45 degrees.
What action by the perioperative nursing staff is most important to prevent surgical wound infection?Decontamination of the skin preoperatively is very important to prevent wound infection, particularly in clean procedures. A shower before surgery with an antimicrobial or plain soap is recommended.
Which hand would a nurse teach a client to use when holding a cane after right total hip replacement?Proper Positioning
Hold the cane in the hand opposite the side that needs support. For example, if your right leg is injured, hold the cane in your left hand.
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