Hip replacement surgery leaves the patient in a constant degree of pain for some time afterward and with the need to strengthen the affected leg. Recovering from hip replacement surgery takes time, with some people able to bounce back quicker than others. Age is often a deciding factor. To recover properly so that your hip replacement will be a success, you must take certain steps. Here’s recover from hip replacement surgery and get back on your feet in great shape.
Instructions
1. Always keep a pillow or a wedge-shaped pillow between your legs when in bed. This insures that you do not cross your legs, which can cause your new prosthesis to dislocate from your hip, a painful possibility. The hospital will send you home with the wedge pillow, known as an abduction wedge. As you sleep or lie in bed, it will remain between your legs and keep them in the correct and safe position. You will be sleeping on your back for the first few weeks after surgery.
2. Never cross your legs! There are certain movements that you absolutely must avoid right after hip replacement surgery and crossing your legs is number one on the list. Twisting your foot inward is another, as is bending at the hips at an angle of more than 90 degrees. You will be given a sheet of instructions with the forbidden movements on it. Do not disregard it.
3. Use crutches, a cane, or a walker until you can walk under your own power. Some people are able to go to a cane after just a couple days following hip surgery, while older individuals will need the walker for some time. If you aren’t sure if you can walk on your own then you probably cannot. Don’t take the chance, as a fall can cause your hip replacement great damage and could be extremely painful.
4. Have a raised seat put over your toilet. Someone recovering from hip replacement surgery can’t sit on a low-lying seat, which a toilet often has. A raised seat enables you to go to the bathroom without risking damage to your hip and reduces the pain of sitting down.
5. Put your clothes on with the help of devices invented for that chore. You won’t be able to bend over and put on your socks or pull up your pants. A dressing stick with a special hook comes in handy for getting your pants up and there is a clever invention called a sock aid that lets you slip your socks over your feet without bending down. A reacher is a specially designed instrument that can pick things up from the floor without you having to bend. A long shoehorn helps you get your shoes on.
6. Follow your physical therapist’s instructions to the letter! Do the exercises you have been assigned. They will make your leg and hip stronger and stronger if done properly. Make sure you are doing them correctly. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask your therapist.
7. Take good care of your surgical incision. Modern techniques have reduced the size of the incision necessary for a hip replacement but it still has to heal. Keep it clean and do not get it wet until your doctor says you can. Infection is always a threat after surgery, so keeping your incision clean is important.
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