Preparing Your Home For Hip Surgery
Hip replacement surgery is a common procedure, with nearly half a million surgeries performed in the United States alone. The goal of a total hip replacement is to help reduce pain and restore mobility for people suffering from arthritis.
Hip surgery itself is an outpatient procedure, taking only a few hours. However, the recovery can take weeks to several months. Here are a few tips for preparing your home so your recovery can go as smoothly as possible.
7 Things To Do Before Your Hip Surgery
The majority of Dr. Cafferky’s hip replacement patients are discharged from the hospital in a few hours and are able to walk with the aid of a mobility device. However, that doesn't mean you won’t need help in the first few days and weeks after surgery. It’s important to have a spouse, partner, or friend available to assist you.
This should be someone in your home willing and able to help with the following tasks:
Driving you to your follow-up appointments
Helping with meal preparation
Basic care assistance, such as changing compression socks
Help you stand and move to and from the bathroom
Together, there are seven things you and your support partner can do to get your home set up for your recovery. These are:
Setting up a bed on the first floor, making sure there’s a table nearby for all your dressings, medications, and leisure items (book, cell phone, remote, etc.)
Clear clutter around the areas you’ll be moving the most (to and from the bed to the bathroom and kitchen)
Install grab bars in the bathroom to help you use the toilet and take a shower
Attach an elevated toilet seat to your regular seat
Place rubber slip-resistant matt in the shower
Place your commonly used, day-to-day items at waist height so you don’t have to bend or reach for them
Prepare a week's worth of meals in advance
Completing the tasks before your surgery will not only help reduce some anxiety but will also ensure your recovery is set up for success.
Recovering from Hip Replacement
Now that your home is prepared, you can focus on the important part: recovering from your hip replacement surgery. Although recovery is different for everyone, the typical timeline is as follows:
Immediately After Surgery: With assistance, you’ll be able to get out of bed, stand, and start using your walker.
Few Days After Surgery: You should be able to stand and use your walker without help.
Week After Surgery: Your pain levels should require less medication. Post-surgical physical therapy should be scheduled before your surgical date and start within 1-3 days after surgery.
Two Weeks After Surgery: Your hip should be strong enough that you can begin walking with a cane. Some people can resume driving at this point.
Three to Six Weeks After Surgery: Many patients are cleared to resume light activity at this point. Your pain should be at the point where medication is no longer required.
Two to Three Months After Surgery: The majority of people are able to return to their normal life and activities.
A full recovery for hip replacement surgery can take six months to a year. This can depend on several different factors including:
Age
Fitness level
Physical health
Your physician, their team, and your physical therapist will help you along every stage of your recovery. Following your healthcare team’s instructions and communicating with them during your recovery process will ensure that you can get back to doing the activities you love.
Questions About Hip Replacement Surgery?
Dr. Cafferky and his team at The Steadman Clinic are leading the way in hip replacement innovation. Known throughout Eagle and Summit County for his expertise and compassion, Dr. Cafferky is dedicated to helping his hip replacement patients reclaim their active lifestyles.
Schedule a consultation today by calling (970) 476-1100 or complete our online appointment request form.
