After hip replacement surgery patients can expect weeks of medication, adherence to specific physician instructions, gradual return to activity and months of physical therapy. The need for pain medications will decrease and eventually the patient will have restored mobility and be relieved of pain.
Recovery & Hospital Stay
After your hip surgery you will be moved to the recovery room where you can expect to stay for 1 to 2 hours. This will be followed by a hospital stay of between 3 to 7 days where you will receive medication and start physical rehabilitation.
leaving the Hospital
On leaving the hospital you can expect that your doctor will give you a prescription for medications for pain and medicine to prevent blood clots. You will also be instructed on how much activity you can participate in and certain positions you need to avoid to keep the hip prosthetic in place.
Wound Care
You will be instructed to keep your incision dry and if staples or non-dissolvable stitches were used you will be instructed to return to the office or hospital to have these removed within 10 to 14 days.
Activity
For the first 2 to 4 weeks you can expect that you will be using a cane or walker to get around. In 4 to 6 weeks you should be moving unassisted and return to driving. Returning to work depends on your work responsibilities but should be around 4 to 10 weeks after surgery.
Diet
Your physician will instruct you to maintain a balanced diet and to keep well hydrated in order to facilitate strengthening the muscles and tissue.
Physical Therapy
You can expect to start physical therapy immediately including sitting up and walking one day after your surgery. Physical therapy will continue for approximately 4 to 6 months.
Tags: around weeks, expect that, start physical, will instructed, your surgery