YOUR GUIDE TO SMOOTH POST-OP RECOVERY

If you're reading this, you've likely just taken—or are about to take—a decisive step toward a life of pain-free movement. As an orthopaedic surgeon, I have the unique privilege of guiding patients through this journey every day. The surgery itself is a major milestone, but what happens next is just as important.

Your recovery is your active role in reclaiming your active life.

Please think of this post as a friendly chat from me to you, covering what you can expect in the days and weeks after your hip replacement. My goal is to equip you with knowledge and confidence, so you can focus on healing positively.

The Healing Process: What to Expect

Your body is an amazing machine, and it kicks into high gear the moment you leave the operating room. Here's a general timeline:

The First Few Days:

You'll be up and walking with a walker the same day or the day after surgery. This is crucial for preventing blood clots and kickstarting your recovery. There will be swelling and some discomfort, but our team will be right there with you to manage it.

Weeks 1-6:

The "At-Home" Phase.

This is where the foundation for your success is laid. You'll be discharged with a walker or crutches. The focus is on wound healing, managing swelling, and beginning your prescribed physical therapy exercises. Consistency is key!

Weeks 6-12:

Building Strength & Confidence.

Many patients transition from a walker to a cane and then to walking unassisted. Your stamina will increase, and the post-surgical discomfort will fade significantly. You'll continue to build strength with more advanced physical therapy.

3-6 Months and Beyond:

Returning to Your Life.

This is when you'll really feel the benefits. You'll return to most of your favourite low-impact activities—walking, swimming, cycling, and golf—with a new, pain-free hip. The implant continues to integrate with your bone for years to come, but the major recovery work is behind you.

Key Exercises for Early Recovery

The following exercises are cornerstones of your initial recovery. They are designed to restore function safely. Always perform these as demonstrated by our therapist and within your pain-free range of motion.

Ankle Pumps: This is often the very first exercise you'll do, right in your hospital bed. By flexing and pointing your ankle, you are actively using your calf muscle to pump blood back to your heart. This is a simple yet powerful tool for significantly reducing the risk of blood clots, making it one of the most important exercises you can do in the early days.

Hip Flexion (Knee Raises): This exercise focuses on rebuilding the strength to lift your leg, which is essential for walking. While lying on your back, slowly slide your heel toward your buttocks, bending your knee and hip, then slide it back down. It may feel challenging at first, but this movement directly strengthens the hip flexor muscles you use with every step you take.

Hip Abduction (Leg Slides): Strengthening the muscles on the outside of your hip is crucial for stability. While lying on your back with your toes pointed at the ceiling, gently slide your operated leg out to the side, keeping it straight, and then slowly bring it back. This exercise helps you regain the side-to-side stability needed for a confident, balanced gait.

Half Squats: This functional exercise prepares you for sitting down and standing up from a chair with control. While holding onto a sturdy counter or chair for support, slowly lower yourself a few inches as if you're about to sit down, then push through your heels to return to standing. This builds quadriceps and gluteal strength, which are the powerhouse for all your daily movements.

Stair Climbing: Navigating stairs can be daunting, but with the "up with the good, down with the bad" rule, you'll master it safely. Going up, lead with your non-surgical leg. Going down, lead with your surgical leg. This technique ensures your strong leg does the lifting work, while your recovering leg provides stable, controlled support as you lower your weight.

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Your Recovery Toolkit:

The Dos and Don'ts

This is your playbook for a successful recovery. Following these guidelines protects your new hip and ensures it serves you well for decades.

The "Dos" – Your Keys to Success:

DO Your Exercises Faithfully.

Your physical therapist is your recovery coach. The exercises they give you are not optional; they are the prescription for restoring your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

DO Use Your Walking Aid.

Use your walker or crutches for as long as we recommend. It's not a sign of weakness; it's a tool that ensures your hip heals in the correct position.

DO Manage Your Swelling.

Elevate your legs and use cold packs as directed. This reduces pain and helps you move more comfortably.

DO Keep Your Incision Clean and Dry.

Follow our wound care instructions carefully to prevent infection.

DO Stay Ahead of the Pain.

Take your pain medication as prescribed. It's much easier to prevent severe pain than to chase after it.

DO Set Up Your Home in Advance.

Create a "recovery zone" on one floor. Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs, install a raised toilet seat and grab bars, and set up a chair with firm cushions and arms.

The "Don'ts" – Protecting Your New Hip:

DON'T Cross Your Legs.

This is the most important rule!

Crossing your legs can risk dislocating your new hip.

DON'T Bend Your Hip Past 90 Degrees.

Avoid bending over to pick things up or tying your shoes while sitting. Use the grabbing tools we recommend!

DON'T Twist on Your Operated Leg.

Pivot your feet instead of twisting your body when you turn.

DON'T Sit on Low, Soft Furniture.

Sofas and low chairs put your hip in a risky position. Stick to higher, firm chairs.

DON'T Skip Your Follow-Up Appointments.

We need to see you to check your progress, assess your incision, and answer any new questions you have.

Managing Pain and Discomfort

It's normal to have some pain after major surgery, but we have a multi-pronged approach to keep you comfortable. We use a combination of:

• Long-acting nerve blocks during surgery.

• Oral medications, including anti-inflammatories and opioids, for the first few days.

• Over-the-counter options as you wean off stronger medications.

• Ice and Elevation are your best friends for managing swelling, which is a major source of pain.

Remember, at this stage, our goal is comfortable mobility, not a pain-free state. Some discomfort is a normal part of the healing process, but severe pain should always be reported to our team.

A Final Word of Encouragement

The journey of recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

There will be good days and more challenging ones. Be patient with your body—it's doing remarkable work.

I tell all my patients: the temporary restrictions and effort you put in now are an investment in the years of pain-free living that await you.

Soon, the walking stick will be a distant memory, and the joy of walking through the park without a wince of pain will be your new reality.

My entire team is here to support you every step of the way.

Mr Trevor Lawrence

Orthopaedic Consultant