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Post-operative Regime
After your operation you will be taken to the recovery room where you will remain and be closely monitored until you have properly awoken from your anaesthetic. Then you will be returned to your room back on the ward, unless it has been planned that you spend the first night on the high dependency unit because of the complexity of your proposed operation.
You will have a drip to give you fluids but this will be removed once you are eating and drinking normally. On your return to the ward you will be shown how to use your patient controlled analgesia device which allow you a comfortable recovery.
You are welcome to have visitors later that evening, but remember that you will not want too many people to visit as you will be quite tired.
You will be looked after at all times by exeperienced and skilled nurses and there is a resident medical officer in the hospital 24 hours a day.
The days following your surgery
You will have to lie on your back with the headrest raised and a wedge between your legs after surgery. The wedge stays there for a couple of days but you will be encouraged to sleep on your back for a few weeks after your operation. This is to ensure your new hip remains in the correct position and 'in joint'. Some patients find this uncomfortable especially if they are used to sleeping on their side whilst in bed normally or if they have back pain.
You will be encouraged to get out of bed the day after surgery with the help and guidance of the physiotherapistmay. You may have some pain or discomfort following your surgery and whilst having your physiotherapy. There is no need for you to suffer in silence, if at any time you feel increasing pain in your new hip tell a nurse or physiotherapist who is trained to help.
You will have an xray of your new hip replacement/resurfacing taken a day or two after your operation to ensure it is in the correct position. We are happy to show you your xray and discuss it with you. These xrays remain your property and will be given to you to take home.
Please always bring your xrays with you to any appointment you have with your surgeon.
If you have a wound drain this will be removed at 24-48 hours after surgery. Your wound clips or sutures will normally be removed at 10-14 days after surgery, long after you have returned home, so an appointment will be arranged for the district nurse or your GP surgery nurse to remove them.
Before you leave hospital a follow-up appointment will be arranged for you by the ward clerk to see your surgeon at 6-8 weeks following surgery.
General information following surgery
It quite usual to have some swelling and bruising in your operated leg following surgery, this will decrease in the first few weeks. Don't be suprised if when you get home you feel more tired than you did when in hospital, this is because you will be doing more to look after yourself than you had to do in hospital.
Driving
If you have had a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing it is likely that you can be driving again at four weeks after surgery, but you must be confident with your walking to do this and happy that you can perform an emergency stop. If you have had a total hip replacement or revision surgery you should wait until you have seen your surgeon at your follow-up appointment at six weeks after surgery where we will be happy to advise you as to the most appropriate time to return to driving.
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