Total Hip Replacement:
A Patient's Guide | Dr. Bagaria

Talk to someone who has had a hip replacement to get an idea of what the procedure and recovery period are like. Because you may need blood transfusions during the operation or during recovery, you may want to donate some of your own blood before the procedure.

Install equipment that will help you while you recover at home, such as an elevated toilet seat, a shower seat, and grab bars or handrails. Remove rugs and cords that might cause a fall.

Allow time to rest after the operation. Find people to help you with your day-to-day duties and care for at least the first week at home.

Follow any instructions your healthcare provider gives you. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight and on the morning before the procedure, not even coffee, tea or water.

Follow your provider's instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery and are more likely to have breathing problems during it. If you smoke, quit at least two weeks before the procedure, and ideally six to eight weeks before. Your wounds will also heal much better if you do not smoke afterwards.

You will be given a general or spinal anaesthetic. A general anaesthetic relaxes your muscles and causes a deep sleep, preventing you from feeling pain during the operation. A spinal anaesthetic will not send you to sleep but keeps you from feeling pain during the operation.

The surgeon makes an incision along the side of your hip, moves the muscles connected to the top of the femur (thigh bone), and exposes the hip joint. The ball portion of the joint, at the end of the femur, is separated from the socket. The ball of the femur is cut with a saw and an artificial replacement part is attached.

The surgeon prepares the surface of the hip bone and, where it is worn, attaches a metal or plastic socket component to it. The new ball part of the femur is then inserted into the socket. Two drains may be placed to help drain fluid or blood from the new joint. The muscles are reattached to the top of the femur and the incision closed.

After surgery, your hip will be covered with a padded dressing. Special boots or stockings are placed on your feet or legs to help prevent blood clots. A triangle-shaped cushion may be positioned between your legs to keep them from crossing or rolling inwards. A catheter may be placed in your bladder if you have trouble passing urine.

You will be given a regular programme of exercises to do each day while you are in hospital. Your therapist will begin by helping you move from your bed to a chair. By the second day you will begin walking longer distances using crutches or a walker. Your therapist will teach you exercises to start strengthening the thigh and hip muscles.

You may stay in hospital for about four to six days, depending on how quickly your hip heals.

After you go home, your physiotherapist may visit you for treatment at home. Your therapist will review your exercise programme, continue working with you on your hip precautions, and suggest safety measures such as using an elevated toilet seat and a bathtub bench, and raising the surfaces of couches and chairs. This keeps your hip from bending too much when you sit down. The visiting nurse or therapist will suggest ways to make your home environment safe.

You will probably be using a cane instead of crutches within three to four weeks. Your staples will be removed two weeks after surgery. You will probably be able to drive within three weeks and to walk without a cane or walker by six weeks. With your surgeon's approval, you will be able to resume sexual activity one to two months after surgery.

You can expect your surgeon to follow your progress closely after the operation. Ask what other steps you should take and when you should come back for a check-up.

For common questions about recovery, driving and returning to work, see our frequently asked questions.