Is hip replacement surgery in your future? Osteoarthritis, arthritis, cartilage disease, or an injury from a fall damages hip cartilage . A total hip replacement surgery removes the head of the femur and the socket joint and replaces them with a metal implant. According to the National Center Health Statistics the number of joint replacements doubled in a ten year span and will continue to rise as the population ages.
Hip surgery has come a long way from just a few decades ago. Getting a joint replaced for seniors used to mean a loss of mobility, independence, or even moving into an assisted living facility. Now it’s not uncommon for patients to be mobile days after surgery with the aid of a walker or crutches.
If you or a loved one needs hip replacement surgery, what can you expect?
Preparing for hip surgery
Every doctor and hospital is different, but there are common things that can be expected to ensure a successful surgery. Read on to learn what happens in a typical joint replacement surgery and recovery. Confirm with your doctor any advice or supplements suggested to make sure they don’t conflict with your treatment plan.
Doctors often recommend pre-surgery physical therapy. Exercise strengthens muscles and ligaments prior to surgery to help patients through the recovery period when movement is limited. In addition, your doctor may recommend nutritional supplements, available at local grocery stores and pharmacies. Be sure to take them as recommended by your physician.
Calcium is a supplement that benefits bone strength and can aid in recovery. Doctors prescribing an Iron supplement do so to increase red blood cells and assist in carrying oxygen to areas of the body where it is needed. Supplements may strengthen the immune system and aid in fighting infection. Increasing protein intake is also believed to support muscles and benefit joint recovery.
Your doctor may recommend Hibicleanse to use when showering for a couple of days before surgery. A powerful anti-bacterial scrub, it will kill germs on your skin to diminish the possibility of infection after surgery.
Going into Surgery
On the day of the surgery your experience will depend on the individual hospital. Typically, patients are checked in and given a hospital gown. Once settled, they are given any pre-op medication requested by the surgeon. At the time of surgery, you will receive a general anesthesia or a peripheral spinal nerve block. The later is becoming more popular with doctors as patients do not experience grogginess or an anesthesia hangover.
Coming out of Surgery
Patients are taken to a recovery room after the completion of hip replacement surgery. A nurse then checks blood pressure, pulse, and breathing and dispenses pain medication to the patient if needed. They also monitor the incision, dressing, and circulation and patients are encouraged to move their feet to increase circulation.
Caring for the Incision
Once again, how your surgical incision is prepared depends on your doctor and the hospital but most likely your wound will be closed with dissolving sutures and covered with an Aquacel dressing. This dressing will protect your wound and keep it dry when showering. There should be minimal wound “drainage” which is blood and fluid. If you discover that 40% or more of your Aquacel bandage is saturated with drainage, contact your doctor. You may need a new bandage.
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe a blood Thinners to help prevent blood clots. Baby aspirin is often sufficient. He may also prescribe pain medication if necessary. It’s important to gradually increase the amount of time between pain pills and reduce the amount you take as soon as possible. Iron supplements and pain medicines can cause constipation. If so, a laxative and/or stool softener will be beneficial.
Physical Therapy
Depending on the time of your surgery and your doctor’s orders you will start PT the same day of your procedure, or the next day. The physical therapist will evaluate you, give you specific exercises to do, and instruct you on precautions that need to be taken. You will need to do the PT exercises every day in order to regain flexibility.
Recovery Aids
Your surgeon or physical therapist will recommend equipment that will assist with the activities of daily living.
- Ankle pumps are wraps that go around your lower legs that fill and release air to promote circulation and prevent blood clots.
- Raised commodes make it easier to use the toilet. They typically sit over an existing toilet and raise the seat by several inches making it easier to sit.
- A “hip kit” is a package of common items that help with make every day activities easier after surgery. A hip kit can be bought at a local pharmacy, and are also available on Amazon starting under $20. A typical kit will contain the following items:
- Extra-long shoe horn helps with putting on shoes, reducing the need to bend over.
- PVC sock aid is a tube with rope handles that helps someone with limited flexibility put socks on.
- Long handled sponge helps with bathing and reaching your feet and lower legs.
- Reacher or grabber is a tool with a handle that controls a “pincher” so you can grab things without bending over.
It’s natural to feel anxious or worried about a major surgery. If you follow your doctor advice, complete physical therapy, and listen to your body there’s no reason you can’t get back to many of the activities you enjoyed before surgery.
