After Anterior Total Hip Replacement

After your hip replacement, you will need to follow these instructions to avoid complications. Follow these instructions from the time you go home until your doctor says you can stop.

Incision care

• If your incision has sutures or staples, do not shower until after you return to the clinic.

• If your incision is closed with liquid skin adhesive, you may shower 24 hours after all drainage stops.

• If your incision is closed with steri-strips, you may shower 5 days after your surgery.

• If your incision is covered with a waterproof dressing, you may shower when you feel comfortable. Remove this dressing after 7 days.

• Sit on a shower stool or chair when you shower to keep from falling. Carefully wash around your incision with soap and water. Rinse the incision well. Then gently pat it dry.

• Do not rub the incision or apply creams or lotions.

• If your incision is not draining, you do not need a dressing over it. You may cover your incision with a light, dry bandage if you want.

• Check your incision daily for redness, swelling, tenderness or drainage.

Hip precautions

• You will need to avoid certain positions and movements 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. This will help keep your new hip from dislocating or popping out of place. 

Activity and exercise

• Follow your doctor’s orders for how much weight to put on the operated leg.

• Walk often. Do the exercise physical therapy taught you three times a day.

• Slowly increase your activity each day.

• Walk up and down stairs with support. Use the railing if possible. Try one step at a time – good hip up, bad hip down.

• Use a cane, crutches, a walker or handrails until your balance, flexibility and strength improve. Remember to ask for help from others when you need it.

• Do not engage in any jarring sports or activities until your doctor says it is OK.  Examples are jogging, tennis and basketball.

Sitting and lying down

• Raise your legs when sitting.

• Sit in chairs with arms. The arms make it easier for you to stand up or sit down.

• Do not sit for more than 30 to 45 minutes at a time.

• Nap if you are tired, but don’t stay in bed all day.

• Ask your surgeon if it is OK to sleep on your stomach or sides. Use pillows between your legs when sleeping on your side.

Bathroom safety

• Use safety devices in your bathroom. These include nonslip bath mats, grab bars and a shower chair.

Riding and driving

• Sit on a firm cushion when you ride in a car.  Avoid sitting too low.

• Don’t drive while you are taking narcotic pain medicine.

• Don’t drive until your doctor says it is OK.  Most people can start driving:

  • For surgery on right leg, about 2 weeks after surgery

  • For surgery on left leg, when you feel comfortable

Managing pain

• You should expect to have some pain as you heal.  This pain may last weeks or months.

• Take pain medicine as directed. Do not skip or add doses.

• Take them at least 20 minutes before doing activities. Take them 30 to 60 minutes before exercise or physical therapy.

• Do not take other pain medicines unless your doctor approves. This includes over-the-counter medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen and Tylenol.

• As you heal, you will need less pain medicine. Try taking one pill instead of two. Or take them two times a day instead of three times a day.

• Get up and move. This may help relieve discomfort at night.

• You can also try listening to music, relaxing, distracting your mind, or repositioning your leg.

Preventing infection

• Avoid infection by washing your hands often.

• Call your surgeon right away if you think you have an infection in your operated hip.  Signs include a fever, redness, increased pain, or an incision that leaks white, green or yellow fluid.

• Avoid soaking your incision in water (no hot tubs, bathtubs, swimming pools) until your doctor says it’s ok.

• Wait 3 weeks after your surgery to shave your legs.

• Wait 3 weeks after your surgery to get a flu or pneumonia vaccine.

• Wait 2 months after your surgery for any routine dental appointments. After hip replacement, you may need to take antibiotics for dental procedures. When scheduling an appointment, be sure to tell your dentist that you’ve had a hip replacement.

• Call your family doctor right away if you think you might have an infection elsewhere.

Preventing blood clots

• Take blood-thinning medicine as directed to prevent blood clots.

• Do not miss doses of blood-thinning medicine.

• If you received support stocking in the hospital, wear them for 2 weeks after surgery.

• Use caution when taking long car trips or traveling by airplane for the first 6 weeks after surgery. If you must take a long car trip, stop every hour and walk for 10-15 minutes. Your doctor may recommend a blood thinner if you are flying within 6 weeks of surgery.

Diet

• It is normal to have a decreased appetite after surgery. Drink a nutritional supplement such as Boost or Carnation Instant Breakfast until your appetite returns to normal.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Added body weight puts stress on the hip. Get help to lose any extra pounds.

Preventing constipation

• Narcotic pain medicines can cause constipation.

• Take stool softener as prescribed.

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

• Increase fiber in your diet. Fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains have fiber in them.

• Call your doctor if your bowels do not move in the next few days after surgery.

Follow-up care

• Your orthopaedic surgeon will schedule follow-up exams to make sure that your hip is healing correctly. Use this time to ask any questions you have about your recovery or activities.

• If you need a prescription refill before your next appointment, call 859-323-5533.

• To check joint stability over time, you may have X-rays every five years.

When should I call the doctor?

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

Call your doctor if you have any of the following

• An increase in hip pain

• Pain or swelling in a calf or leg

• Unusual redness, heat or drainage at the incision site

• Fever of 101.5°F or higher or shaking chills

• Increased swelling in your leg

• Loss of control over leg motion