Post Operation Care and Rehabilitation- Hip Replacement

After surgery, you will use your walker for six weeks. After six weeks, you can use a cane or nothing at all. The six week period allows for nearly full soft tissue healing. You will not be allowed to drive for six weeks. If you are still employed, plan to be off work for a minimum of three to six weeks, sometimes longer depending on your job requirements.

Your staples will be removed in 2 weeks after surgery.

Immediately following surgery, a nurse will put compression stockings on your legs to prevent swelling and risks for blood clot formation. You will need to wear these for six weeks.

You also will be given a blood thinner medication by subcutaneous injection in the hospital and at home for a total of about two weeks. The hospital staff will instruct you or a family member how to administer the blood thinner, or it will be given by medical personnel at a rehabilitation center or by a home health agency.

Individual surgeries vary, but one of the following three options will work best for you as you recover from surgery:

• Home health care – a physical therapist will visit you in your home each day for rehabilitation.
• In-patient rehab – allows you to remain in the hospital and receive physical therapy within the facility where you are treated.
• Out patient rehab – you visit a specific facility to receive physical therapy.

Blood Clot Prevention:
Blood clots in the leg veins are the most common complication of knee replacement surgery. Anticoagulants, stockings, walking around and exercise will help prevent blood clots.

Warning signs of possible blood clots in your leg include:

• Increased pain in your calf.
• Tenderness or redness above or below your knee.
• Increased swelling in your calf, ankle and/or foot.

Warning signs that a blood clot has traveled to your lung include:

• Sudden increased shortness of breath.
• Sudden onset of chest pain.
• Localized chest pain with coughing.

Notify Dr. Cuellar's staff immediately if you develop any of these symptoms.