Before And After Hip Replacement Surgery
Before And After Hip Replacement Surgery
Before And After Hip Replacement Surgery
When faced with the decision to have hip replacement surgery or not, you really need to know what you can expect from the procedure before you can make your choice. Every persons body is different, so each surgery is taken on a case by case basis. You can expect to become more mobile after the hip replacement and also have less pain, but what else? Often the goal of being able to walk without pain again is the main thing on peoples minds. The fact is you won't be totally pain free, however you can expect to have far less pain than you did before.
Prior To Hip Surgery
In preparation for your hip replacement surgery your doctor will have to give you a complete medical. This is to make sure you don't have any conditions that may affect the procedure in a negative way. You will likely have to have x-rays, cardiograms as well as blood and urine tests. You should also be wary of the condition of your skin around the area the surgery of the hip replacement. Make sure your doctor is aware of any skin condition or rash you may have before the surgery goes forth. You should also remember to declare any meds you may be on. This is because there are many medications that you will have to stop taking for a time before and after the surgery.
Something you may want to consider is providing the hospital with some of your own blood before the surgery. This means if anything happens during the surgery that demands you need blood, they have it there ready. You could be asked to lose a certain amount of weight before the surgery goes ahead if you are currently overweight. This is because your hip issues may have been caused or at least helped along by the fact you were overweight, in which case you don't want your new hip to suffer the same fate.
You should expect you mobility to be greatly reduced immediately after the hip replacement surgery. For a number of weeks after the surgery you will have to use a walker or a cane in order to get around, don't expect to be back to your normal self for some time. This means if you live alone, you may have to ask somebody to help out for a while as you recover, to take care of the shopping, cooking and cleaning. It is a good idea to tell your friends and loved ones this so they are prepared to help out when the time arises.
Post Hip Replacement Surgery
You may have to stay in hospital for up to 4 days after the hip replacement. It will be painful around your hip for awhile and you will be given medication to help control the pain. You will be instructed to cough regularly and breathe deeply to ensure no fluid builds up within your lungs. You will also be given a special pillow to rest beneath your legs so that your knees stay elevated which will be the most comfortable position for your hip when sleeping.
You will also have to get out of bed and walk around to ensure blood clots don't get a chance to form. This will stop your hip stiffening up as well. After the surgery you will have to have some physical therapy in order to help the healing process, strength and movement. You must also take care of the area around your stitches. The stitches will be taken out after 14 days. Drink enough water and don't worry when you lose your appetite, this is a common reaction after surgery.
Make sure that your home has been rearranged in order to provide the best environment after the surgery. If you don't already, get safety bars in your shower and bath, if you already have them check to make sure they are secure. Check the handrails on your stairs as well. Be wary of any trip hazards and make sure they are cleaned up, such as a loose rug or electrical wiring.
You will likely need the use of a seat in your shower, a shower hose and a raised toilet seat for the first couple of weeks of your return home. Invest in a good chair that has firm cushions so you can keep your hips higher than your knees. If you don't already have a adequate chair then get one, you will want one that has arms that can support your weight when lifting and lowering yourself and will need to have a firm back. You will find bending over is difficult at first so get a grabber, this is something that allows you to pick things up off the floor or from high shelves without needing to bend or stretch.
A hip replacement may cure pain in the long run, but will take a toll on your body for a short while while recovering. Make sure you take the required steps prior to your hip surgery. Doing so will prevent any mishaps from happening during your surgery. After your hip surgery, be sure to take all safety measures as the hip replacement will need to cure and the muscles around your hip will need to heal. By following these easy steps, your hip replacement surgery should go according to plan.
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