While in hospital
you will be seen by a physiotherapist who will instruct you
in exercises, getting in and out of bed, and the use of walking
aids.
After your op, the physiotherapist
will check that you are doing your exercises correctly and
will help you get out of bed and walk for the first time.
On succeeding days, you will
progress to walking greater distances and learn to climb stairs
properly.
On discharge from the hospital,
you will be given a list of do's and don'ts to take home as
a reminder of what you have been told.
These instructions
are repeated , to help you remember!
Print the complete list of reminders
Sitting
Your chair :
Your chair will need to have
arms. It should be at least 19"-20" high, measured with the
cushion pressed down, from the top of the cushion to the floor.
If you are very tall, you may need it higher, or if you are
very short lower. If you don't have an arm chair the right
height you could borrow one? If your chair needs to be higher,
we may be able to arrange for your local social services/occupational
therapist to lend you blocks, but not all chairs can be raised
this way
How to sit down :
Walk to your chair, slowly
turn around. When you feel the back of your legs touching
the cushion, put your operated leg out in front of you and
put your hands down onto the chair arms then taking your weight
through your arms and on your UN-operated leg, ease yourself
down onto the chair
How to get up :
With your operated leg out,
and taking your weight on your UN-operated leg, push up with
your arms. Regain your balance, then retrieve your sticks/crutches.
Sleeping
Your bed :
Your bed will need to be at
least 19"-20" high, measured with the mattress pressed down,
from the top of the mattress to the floor. You will need to
have it positioned so you can get into it on the side that
lets you lift your UN-operated leg first followed by the operated
leg.
How to get in and out of bed :
To get onto the bed, go UN-operated
leg first. Sit down on the bed and lift yourself back far
enough to give your operated leg full support before turning
yourself face down the bed. Just reverse this procedure to
get out of the bed. You should lie on your back and not on
your side for the first 6 weeks after your operation.
How to pull up the covers :
A continental quilt is easier
to manage than blankets.If you have no-one to do it for you,
have a walking stick handy so you can pull up the covers,
and also to fold them over to the other side of the bed before
you get out. You will need someone else to change the sheets
for you in the first few weeks.
Sex :
Sexual intercourse may be
resumed as soon as you find it comfortable, but initially
you will need to lie on your back and avoid twisting. If in
doubt, check with you consultant or GP.
Washing, toileting
Bathing :
Wait at least 6 weeks, or
untill advised by your consultant, before attempting to have
a bath.
Washing :
You will need to wash and
dry your feet for the first 6wks after your return home. You
will also need someone to cut your toe nails. If you don't
know how to arrange this, ask the nurses during your stay
in hospital what help can be organised for you.
Using the toilet
Your toilet :
Will probably need to have
a raised seat for the first few weeks after your return home
from hospital. The hospital will order this for you after
you are admitted for your operation.
Getting on and off :
If your raised toilet seat
has arms, you can get on and off it following the same instructions
as for sitting in your armchair. If you have a seat with no
arms, you will need to use your walking stick or crutches
during your recovery. Park one stick on your UN-operated side,
and keep the other in your hand on the other side- your operated
side. Then keeeping hold of this stick, with your operated
leg out in front of you, put your free hand on your UN-operated
side behind you onto the seat. Slowly let yourself down. To
get up, reverse this procedure.
Wiping :
Make sure you don't have to
twist to reach the toilet paper. Use your free hand on your
Un-operated side. Avoid over - bending.
Dressing
Your clothes :
Your clothes will need to
be within reach without you having to bend over at all, so
before your op. Re-arrange them so the ones you most use are
in drawers or on shelves around waist height or higher. Have
some low-heeled comfortable shoes ready for your return home.
If you only have shoes with laces, we may be able to make
it easier for you by issuing elastic laces.
How to get dressed :
First, collect the clothes
you are going to wear and put them on the bed beside you,
before you start dressing. You will have been shown in hospital
how to dress your lower half, but here are some reminders:
- sit on the side of the
bed(or on your chair) to dress
- put on your knickers or
pants using the hooked end of a long shoe horn or walking
stick
- dress operated leg first
- you can purchase an aid
for putting on socks/stockings/tights if necessary
- put a shoe on, on your
Un-operated leg, whilst sitting
- stand close to and facing
your dressing table,chest of drawers or a substantial chair
to put on the other shoe
- park your walking sticks
and use the hand on your operated side to steady yourself
on the piece of furniture
- with the shoe horn/stick
in your other hand, gently kick your foot into the shoe,
positioning it with the shoe horn between your legs. Keep
this foot pointing straight.
Getting Undressed :
Reverse the procedure for
your shoes. Undress your Un-operated leg first, then your
operated side last.
Cooking & Gardening
Stock up :
Stock up before your op, to
reduce the time you'll need to spend preparing meals. If you
have a freezer, have some meals ready in it.
Re-arrange :
Re-arrange the contents of
your fridge and cupboards so you can reach the more essential
items without bending or overstretching.
A substantial trolley :
A substantial trolley is useful
to have handy if you will have to carry food any distance.
Sit down :
Sit down for as many jobs
as possible after your op. When you are working in your kitchen
a high stool19"-20" is useful to sit on, when preparing vegetables
etc.
Anything heavy :
Anything heavy like lifting
or cleaning work should be left to someone else! Do ask someone
to help with the shopping, laundry and preparing meals. Do
not vacuum, make beds, wash floors or lift heavy laundry.
Gardening :
When you start gardening again,
at least 8 to 12 weeks after your operation, try to avoid
too much bending, twisting or lifting in the firstweeks and
avoid digging.
Preferably kneel while gardening,
do not squat.
Going out in the Car
Positioning the car :
Make sure the car is parked
away from the kerb so you can be on the same level as the
car before you try to get in. Put the seat back as far as
possible and slightly reclined.
Getting in and out :
Use the same method as for
getting on and off the bed, so go bottom first into the car
and lower yourself slowly to the edge of the seat. Then lift
yourself further in across the seat, towards the driver's
seat, keeping your operated leg straight. Turn to face the
right way slowly and carefully, sliding your operated leg
into the foot well of the car. A plastic bag on the seat will
some times help you manage this more easily. reverse this
procedure to get out again.
Driving is not allowed for
6 weeks.
Reminders
Mobility :
Your total hip replacement
is designed to relieve pain, restore movement and in most
cases also restore leg length and so will improve your mobility.
Exercise :
Walking, short and frequent
walks are good exercise but avoid uneven or hilly ground.
Do Not Bend :
If you drop something dont
pick it up, use a helping hand or the ends of your sticks
or a lump of blu-tak at the end of a stick.
Remember :
An artificial hip is not as
good as a normal joint and must be treated with respect. In
the first few months, the joint will be recovering fron the
surgery. So extra precautions need to be taken for the first
6-12 weeks after the operation, to avoid the joint from dislocating.
Recovery
When you have recovered We
hope that you make a good recovery, helped by the hints on
these pages. After 6-12 weeks has passed you are mobile and
back doing most things. If you have any queries or anxieties
that have not been covered on these pages please dont hesitate
to contact your local hospital.
Preventing Possible Complications
of Surgery
The complication rate following
joint replacement surgery is very low. Serious complications,
such as joint infection, occur in less than 2% of patients.
Nevertheless, as with any major surgical procedure, patients
who undergo total joint replacement are at risk for certain
complications— the vast major-ity of which can be successfully
avoided and/ or treated. Possible complications include:
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