Hip replacement is a very effective treatment for hip pain and stiffness that interferes with routing activities of daily living. According to statistics, greater than 300,000 hip replacements are performed in the US alone every year.
For the first few weeks after the surgery you should take a few precautions to protect your new hip. This will ensure it will function properly for many years and decades to come. Here is a preparation check list for returning home after a hip replacement.
- Remove Tripping Hazards:You can expect to be shuffling your feet for a while as you get used to your new hip. It is best to remove all loose rugs, floor mats, wires, and other small objects that you are likely to trip over.
- Upgrade Your Bathroom:Consider putting grab bars in the bathtub, shower area, and near the toilet. The toilet seat or commode may need to be raised up to improve comfort and reduce the risk of damaging the implant.
- Use Assistive Devices:You may need to use a walker and a few other gadgets to perform some of life’s little tasks without losing your balance. These include sock donners, long handled shoehorns, and handy grabbers that extend your reach.
- Rearrange Furniture:Create a clear pathway that a walker will easily fit through so you can easily move about your home. This may involve moving low-high tables out of the pathway and removing all clutter. Items that are frequently used should be kept in easily accessible places such as tabletop height surfaces or middle shelves. And place a table lamp close to your bed where it can be easily reached.
- Elevate Your Feet:Try to elevate your feet whenever you are sitting and lying down. This helps reduce swelling and promotes faster healing of tissue around the hip.
With advances in medical science, select candidates can have a total hip replacement performed as an outpatient procedure and be discharged home on the same day as the surgery. By following these tips, you will be able to safely recover in the comfort of your own home.
Dr. Jacob brings cutting edge techniques and technology to the Oklahoma City area. He has extensive training in minimally invasive, rapid recovery joint replacement as well as robotically assisted hip and knee replacement. Dr. Jacob is a pioneer in outpatient joint replacement allowing some patient to go home the same day as their procedure and recover in the comfort of their own home. The cornerstone of Dr. Jacob ’s practice is to have the recovery process be easier, faster and less painful allowing his patients to get back into the game of life. Dr. Jacob is committed to bringing the highest level of orthopedic care while treating each and every patient like a family member. Providing you with patient centered care you can trust.
