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. Ask your doctor if you should take antibiotics before dental work. Some patients with special circumstances may be required to take antibiotics prior to dental work to help prevent infection. It is especially important to prevent any bacterial infections from developing in your artificial joint. Your doctor will tell you which over-the-counter medicines are safe to take while using prescription pain medication. Home medications may include opioid and non-opioid pain pills, oral or injectable blood thinners, stool softeners, and anti-nausea medications.īe sure to talk with your doctor about all your medications - even over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and vitamins. Take all medications as directed by your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience new or severe swelling, since this may be the warning sign of a blood clot. Wearing compression stockings may also help reduce swelling. 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. This could be a sign of infection.Įxpect moderate to severe swelling in the first few weeks after surgery. Notify your doctor immediately if the wound appears red or begins to drain.Most dressings are now waterproof and can be worn in the shower, but you should follow your doctor's instructions on how long to wait before you shower or bathe.Make sure you or your family member/caregiver ask for instructions on how to manage your dressing. The most common types of dressings being used today are applied sterilely in the operating room and are not removed for 7 to 10 days. Use assistive devices such as a long-handled shoehorn, a long-handled sponge, and a grabbing tool or reacher to avoid bending over too far.ĭuring your recovery at home, follow these guidelines to take care of your wound and help prevent infection:.Install a shower chair, gripping bar, and raised toilet seat in the bathroom.This type of chair is safer and more comfortable than a low, soft-cushioned chair. Get a good chair - one that is firm and has a higher-than-average seat.Securely fasten electrical cords around the perimeter of the room. Remove any throw rugs or area rugs that could cause you to slip.Prepare a "recovery center" by placing items that you use frequently within easy reach. You should notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the above signs. Signs that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs include: In very rare cases, a blood clot may travel to your lungs and become life-threatening. Severe swelling of your thigh, calf, ankle, or foot that does not resolve with elevation of the leg.Tenderness or redness above or below your knee.Pain in your leg or calf unrelated to your incision.Increasing pain with both activity and rest.Increasing redness, tenderness or swelling of your wound.Hospital staff will discuss possible complications, and review with you the warning signs of problems such as an infection or a blood clot. Although the complication rate after total hip replacement is low, when complications do occur, they can prolong or limit full recovery. 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. When you are discharged, your healthcare team will provide you with information to support your recovery at home. If this is the case, you may be temporarily transferred to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing center. If you are not yet able to accomplish these goals, it may be unsafe for you to go directly home after discharge. Understanding any hip precautions you may have been given to prevent injury and ensure proper healing.Being able to perform the prescribed home exercises.Walking with an assistive device (a cane, walker, or crutches) on a level surface and being able to climb up and down two or three stairs.Being able to eat, drink, and use the bathroom.If your hip replacement is done on an outpatient basis, you will go home on the same day as surgery.īefore you are discharged from the hospital, you will need to accomplish several goals, such as: Your hospital stay will typically last from 1 to 2 days, depending on the speed of your recovery.
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