Total Hip Replacement
What To Expect After Surgery
Day of Surgery
What Will Happen Today
Once you return from surgery, you will be able to have a liquid diet. There is medicine for you if you feel sick to your stomach. In the afternoon, the physical therapist will come to visit and start your therapy which may include getting out of bed.
Nurses will be in to attend to you every 2-3 hours checking your blood pressure and pulse. It is very important that you expand your lungs after surgery. To help you, the nurses will ask you to breathe deeply and cough every two hours. Staff will ask you to blow into a small machine as well.
You will have a tube in your arm providing you with fluids and a way to administer your pain medications and antibiotics. There will be a tube in your bladder which will be removed tomorrow. There will be a bandage on your hip and you will have an ice bag.
During the night the nursing staff will awaken you to check your blood pressure and pulse. They will help you turn and move about in bed. Pain medicine is available to help you rest comfortably.
You will be asked to rate you pain on a scale from 1-10. Pain medications will be available for your comfort and to help you in your activities. It is important that you actively participate in therapy and getting out of bed and pain control will help with that process.
After Surgery Schedule
Hour 1-4
You will go to the Recovery Room. While you are there, nurses will attend to you and you will have an x-ray. Once you return to the floor, nurses will check your blood pressure and pulse often and you will be asked to deep breathe.
Hour 5-8
Nurses will ask you to rate your pain and give you medicine in the tube in your arm. You will be able to eat and drink.
During The Night
Nurses will awaken you to check on your hip, blood pressure and pulse. They will ask you to rate your pain and deep breathe.
Day 1 After
What Will Happen Today
This morning a staff member will be in to draw your blood. This is routine and is part of your doctor’s orders. You will continue your deep breathing exercises every two hours throughout the day.
The nursing staff will be removing the tube in your bladder and you will be able to use the bathroom with help from the nursing staff. The doctor will give you stool softeners to help with your bowel movement.
You will be out of bed at least two times today with the nursing staff and the physical therapist to help you. You will sit up for your meals and will be able to enjoy a regular diet. When you are in bed, you may have a pillow between you legs to keep your hip in the correct position.
You will continue to get your pain medicine and your antibiotics through the tube in your arm.
The nursing staff will be in throughout the day and night checking your blood pressure, pulse and your temperature. They will check your bandage and may change it as needed.
You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale from 1-10. Pain medications will be available for your comfort and to help you in your activities. It is important that you actively participate in therapy and getting out of bed and pain control will help with that process.
Day 1
Morning
You will have your blood drawn early. The tube in your bladder will be removed. You will get out of bed for breakfast and your morning physical therapy session. Nurses will check you blood pressure and ask you to rate your pain.
Afternoon
You will continue to get your pain medicine through the tube in your arm. You will have your afternoon physical therapy session. The nurses will check your bandage and change it as needed. Your Care Coordinator will visit you. Depending upon your progress you will likely go home after your afternoon physical therapy session.
During The Night
Nurses will awaken you to check on your hip, blood pressure and pulse. They will ask you to rate your pain and deep breathe.
Day 2 After
What Will Happen Today
This morning a staff member will be in to draw your blood. This is routine and is part of your doctor’s orders. You will continue your deep breathing exercises every two hours throughout the day.
You will be out of bed at least two times today with the nursing staff and physical therapist to help you. You will sit up for your meals and will be able to enjoy a regular diet. You will be able to get up to use the bathroom.
You will continue on your deep breathing exercises.
The doctor will begin you on a vitamin pill today along with a blood thinner. You will continue on your stool softeners until you have a bowel movement.
The nursing staff will be in throughout the day and night checking your blood pressure, pulse and your temperature. They will check you bandage and may change it as needed.
The tube in your arm will be removed and you will begin your pain medicine by mouth today. You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale from 1-10. It is important that you actively participate in therapy and getting out of bed and pain control will help with that process.
Your Care Coordinator will visit you again today and work with you to make your final discharge plans including any equipment needs. If you are returning home you will need a family member or friend to drive you.
Day 2
Morning
You will have your blood drawn early. You will get out of bed for breakfast and your morning physical therapy session. Nurses will begin your vitamin pill and your blood thinner.
Afternoon
The tube in your arm will be removed and you will begin your pain medicine by mouth. You will be out of bed and participate in your physical therapy. Your Care Coordinator will visit you to make the final plans for your discharge.
During The Night
Nurses will check your blood pressure and be available if you need pain medicine. You will rest.
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