| What equipment will I need at home after
my surgery? |
|
Also see
See What Equipment Will I Need Article
-
Crutches or walker – possibly both
-
Cane
-
Raised commode (to put over your toilet
because a regular toilet seat height is too
low to sit on)
-
Shower/tub chair (so that you can sit
while you shower/bathe)
-
Extended shoe horn (to assist in putting
on your shoes)
-
Long handled grabber (to help reach
things on the floor or in high places)
-
Hip chair (an elevated chair to help
prevent you from bending greater than 90
degrees at the hip joint)
-
Sock aide (to assist in putting on your
socks)
-
Elastic shoe laces (so that you do not
have to bend down to tie your shoes)
-
Long-handled sponge for bathing
|
| When do my
staples get removed? |
|
Staples are removed two weeks from your surgery date.
a. If you go to rehab from the hospital, the staples
will be removed at the rehab facility.
b. If you go home from the hospital and have home health
care, you may have your staples removed by the home
health nurse. (this is often the case with patients who
live a distance away) |
|
How long
must I wear the white
TED stockings? |
|
Also See Blood Clot and TEDS Articles
TED stockings - T.E.D. means thrombo-embolic
disease/device- are normally worn for two weeks from the
surgery date.
a. They need to be worn during the day and may be
removed at nighttime as long as they are put back on
when you wake in the morning. If there is no swelling
after the two weeks are up, you may discontinue wearing
the TED stockings.
b. If there is still swelling after the two weeks,
continue wearing the stockings during the day until the
swelling is gone. To reduce swelling, lie flat three
times a day for 30 minutes. Elevate the leg on two or
three pillows. |
|
What are hip precautions? |
|
Also See Hip Precaution Articles
-
Do not cross your legs at
the knees
-
Do not twist your body at
the waist
-
Do not turn operative foot
inward
-
Do not flex your hip greater
than 90°
-
Do not bend at the waist
-
Minimize lifting to no more
than 20 pounds in the first three months and
40 pounds thereafter
-
Keep pillows between legs
when sleeping
-
Sit only 30-45 minutes at a
time
-
May ride in a car, stopping
every 30 minutes to get out and stretch for
5 - 10 minutes
-
May sleep on operative side
two weeks after surgery with a pillow
between your legs
|
|
How long must I maintain
hip precautions? |
|
Complete hip precautions are normally maintained for ten
weeks following surgery. After that, an abbreviated set
of precautions may be observed. |
|
When can I drive? |
|
Driving usually can resume
at five to six weeks post op. This needs to be
discussed with your surgeon. |
|
When Can I swim? |
|
Swimming may normally resume at five to ten weeks post
op. |
|
When can I fly in an
airplane? |
|
Flying may resume at two months. You must sit in an
aisle seat, and make arrangements for luggage and
connections. Blood clots are a concern so you MUST do
ankle pumps every 15 minutes, walk about the plane every
30 minutes, and be taking aspirin or Warfarin
(Coumadin). |
|
When can I take a shower? |
|
Showering may resume after discharge from the hospital.
The wound must be covered with
plastic wrap to keep water from the incision. |
|
How long will I be out of
work? |
|
You may usually return to work approximately ten weeks
after surgery. If you have a sedentary job, you might be
able to return sooner. |
|
When may I resume sexual
activity? |
|
Will I be able to resume sexual relations now that my hip has been replace?
Most patients are able to resume safe and enjoyable intercourse after hip
replacement. The hip pain and stiffness that was noted before surgery will
disappear, and you will find your hip to be pain-free and have better motion.
However, it may take several weeks before you are comfortable with you new hip.
When can I resume sexual intercourse?
Generally it is safe to resume intercourse in about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
This will allow time for the incision and muscles around your hip to heal. This
topic can be addressed at your 6-week follow-up appointment with your surgeon.
Please ask if sexual activity can be resumed and which position(s) are the
safest.
What positions are safe for me during intercourse?
Total hip replacement precautions need to be observed during all activities of
daily living, including sexual intercourse. Your surgeon, nurse and your
physical therapist will instruct you on the precautions that you should follow
for everyday activities.
Most patients, male and female, prefer to resume intercourse in a passive manner
in the "bottom" position. This position requires less energy. As your hip heals
you may take a more active role.
|
|
How long after surgery will I need to
have antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental
work? |
|
Also See the American Dental Association (ADA) and the
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
Recommendations.
This will be done for the rest of
your life. It is often suggested that you do not
have any dental work for the first ten weeks following a
THR revision surgery. |
|
When and how
do I donate my own blood (autologous) for surgery? |
|
Normally the doctor's office will contact the American
Red Cross and give them your surgery information. They
will then contact you at home and make arrangements for
your donation. If you are contacted by the Red Cross and
they do not have a center in your area, they will look
for the nearest blood drive in the time frame that is
appropriate. |
|
What Kind of
PT is recommended? |
|
See Early Post Op Exercises |
