What can you expect during the hospital stay?
You will see several people who will help with your recovery. A physical therapist will assist with hip exercises and walking. An occupational therapist will assist with learning everyday activities, such as dressing and bathing, while your hip is healing. Your surgeon, other doctors and nursing staff will see you daily.
What measures are taken to reduce the risk of blood clots?
For routine hip surgery, you will take a blood-thinning medicine after surgery. In addition to a blood thinner, we also emphasize early mobility and working on strengthening exercises.
How do you prevent infections during hip replacement?
Some of the key factors in reducing the risk of infection involve scrubbing of the skin with an antiseptic, antibiotics given before surgery, a team-approach designed to promote efficiency and standardized protocols. We have very low rates of infection with our joint replacement surgeries. It is less than 1 in 200 for healthy patients.
How will I manage recovery after surgery?
It is very rare for patients to not recover at home after surgery. Insurance companies no longer pay for most patients to spend time in a rehabilitation facility after surgery. It is important to have a family member or a friend available to assist you for a few days after your joint replacement surgery. You also will need someone to drive you to physical therapy visits and follow-up appointments with your surgeon.
What determines when I can go home after surgery?
You can go home when you can get around safely with a walker, get in and out of bed on your own and get to the bathroom or a bedside commode. Your surgeon will be working with other members of our health care team (nurses, therapists and social workers) to coordinate ongoing care after you leave the hospital. You need to plan to have someone ready to pick you up from the hospital a day or two after surgery.