If you can afford it, Bergen suggests asking your doctor for a prescription for a lift chair. She suggests, “Using big pillows or wedges to elevate your legs if recommended." Move items you use a lot to tabletop-height surfaces or to middle shelves. “Not only do the temporary appliances get dirty easily, but it’s also recommended to use a comfort height toilet permanently after a total joint replacement.” Doing so, she says, will improve the quality of your life, along with that new joint. The dos and don’ts might be different depending on what type of surgical technique your doctor used. And these people often want to know which exercises are safe and which are exercises to avoid after hip replacement. The first two weeks you will be at your highest risk of infection, so report any signs of redness, drainage or fever. Check with your doctor to be sure, but it is usually safe to resume sexual activity six weeks to two months following a hip replacement. You will not be showering until you get the go-ahead from your surgeon because you need to keep the incision dry. It’s important to remind yourself that feeling frustrated and limitations to physical ability are a normal part of the healing process. Do not sit on low chairs, sofas,... Use assistive devices given to put on socks and shoes. Wondering how to support a loved one’s goal of being able to age at home? Consider putting grab bars in the bathtub, shower or both. Hip replacements are becoming more common at younger ages, as people are staying active longer. On the second day, you will likely be able to get out of bed and start moving with assistance. You'll want to take full advantage of that new level of hip movement. of Texas Orthopedics, Sports and Rehabilitation Associates. Reduce the amount of exercise you do if you are in pain but continue to stay active and resume your exercises as soon as possible. If you would like to exercise your right to opt out of data collection for advertising purposes, please email us at [email protected]. Prepare and freeze a few meals before your surgery. Take it slow and don’t push yourself beyond what you can handle. Typical equipment includes wheelchairs, walkers, shower aids, and dressing aids," explains Selden. Make your phone accessible to your main sitting area and bed. You know what you need to do to protect your new hip from an injury. Do not attempt to do more than you feel capable of and to stop or slow down if you notice increased pain. While individual rehabilitation recommendations may vary, here are some additional ideas that may make life a little easier once home. Arrange transportation to the grocery store, community events, family activities, and doctor and therapy appointments. This doesn't mean you're pain-free but it should be manageable. Many of the items you’ll need to speed down the road to recovery post hip replacement will only be required for a few weeks or so. Do you have access to a portable commode? Place a lamp close to the bed where it is easy to reach. After the surgery, most patients experience pain, discomfort, and are only allowed limited movement. The food that you put into your body will provide you with the energy and nutrition needed to fight off infections, accelerate healing, increase your strength and energy and build up your nutrition stores. Surgeons now have the ability to perform hip replacements and send patients home as quickly as the same day of surgery. Breathing deeply and coughing frequently helps keep your lungs clear. Crystal Jo is a Registered Nurse who is passionate about helping older adults live happy, healthy lives at home. If you prefer to keep the rug where it is, Bergen suggests “fastening them using carpet tape to keep the edges down.” However, she says that the best bet is removing the tripping hazard to eliminate any concerns about a fall. Some night lights turn on by themselves after dark. … Select Your Cookie Preferences We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your shopping experience, to provide our services, understand how customers use our services so we can make improvements, and display ads. Pre-op physical therapy for joint replacement surgery can help the patient have maximum strength and mobility that can have a positive impact on the post-op recovery. (Grab bars should be installed into wall studs to ensure they are secure.). Adults of any age can be considered for a hip replacement, although most are done on people between the ages of 60 and 80. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons report that 95% of patients who undergo a hip replacement stated the procedure was successful. It's normal to have questions about what the healing process will look like after surgery. Talk to your doctor their recommendations for using ice and taking an anti-inflammatory medication starting on the day of surgery. Move items you use a lot in the kitchen to tabletop-height surfaces or to middle shelves. This includes having a pillow to place in between your legs while sleeping. Attend Physical Therapy When will you feel back to normal? Before surgery, many people benefit from learning a few exercises to do. Remember, as with all activities, to listen to your body! Shower chair: Shower chairs aren’t required for patients after hip replacement surgery because most individuals are allowed to stand during bathing tasks. But remember, typically, once you get through day three the swelling and pain will get better. HOME CARE AFTER TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT Wound Care: 1) After 3 days remove the dressing. Swelling can limit your ability to get your life back to normal. To get in and out of the shower easily, you also might want to consider having a grab bar installed in the bathroom. This has led to major alterations in how nursing and other healthcare disciplines on the joint replacement team need to coordinate patient care to provide a safe environment and optimize the outcome of the surgery. “Sock donners and handy grabbers that extend your reach are absolute musts,” she says. She says, “Your knees, hips and arms will appreciate it, and that your other bad hip will really appreciate it!” Although insurance doesn’t cover the cost of the chair, having a prescription can avoid the need to pay sales tax in some areas. You can eat, drink, sleep and go to the bathroom. When it comes to knee and hip replacement aftercare, the first four to six weeks after the operation is when you’ll need the most support. Before you decide to join this group, it is important to know what to expect following surgery. Inside your home Living room. You will find this easier to get up from. Try to exercise for 20-30 minutes at a time. We’re here to help. Make sure that: Before you go home, you will need to have someone available to help you at home. We’re here to ease your recovery post-op, supporting with day-to-day tasks and strengthening exercises, all in the comfort of your home. Such services can include daily skilled nursing care, additional rehabilitative therapy or both. Sign-up to receive our Caregiving Collection E-Newsletter, filled with educational articles, tips and advice on aging and wellness. However, shower chairs make life so much easier because standing for prolonged periods after hip surgery is tiring, painful, and dangerous on a … Be ready for the third day after surgery. Use a kitchen cart to move heavy or hot items. A hip replacement is a common type of surgery where a damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial one (known as an implant). Pick up all throw rugs in your walking or standing path. Turn your foot in or out when you bend down. Use the following guidelines to help prepare your home for your recovery. Doing Therapy Exercises For Continued Hip Health Do standing knee raises after your doctor okays … Arrange to have your paper and mail delivered to your door rather than curbside as needed. What can you do to speed your recovery? The healthier you eat, the better you heal! Your doctor and physical therapist can give you a specific list to remember. Many companies sell these items together as a “hip kit” package. Speak to a Care Advisor Now.Get Your Questions Answered. These levels will be at the highest on day three. This person can also check the safety of your home and help you with your daily activities. This can depend on which hip is operated on. "Family members and/or patients may borrow this equipment for little or no cost from community medical equipment lending programs, also known as medical equipment reuse programs or loan closets," says Janice Selden, Director of Great Lakes Loan Closets. Other … At home, you will want to make sure that your furniture is set up so that you can get around your house easily. It's very important that you follow your surgeon's instructions when you return home after surgery as they will provide specific information for your condition. These can alleviate the sting of having to outfit your home with several new tools and medical equipment. Other helping hands include leg lifters, bendable bath sponges and a long-handled shoe horn. After-care for hip and knee operations, in your home environment Hip and knee replacements are relatively short surgical procedures, but the recovery time can take weeks and sometimes months. Don’t forget that getting out of bed and being able to walk with a walker or cane is one of the goals you need to accomplish before going home from the hospital. Most likely, you will be up and walking the day after your surgery. Be prepared that you will experience a significant amount of discomfort in the first three days following surgery. You should also use a shower chair. Moving around will not only speed up your recovery but will also increase the circulation to your legs and feet which will reduce your chance of getting a blood clot. Yes, it is a question every patient has but often hesitates to ask. Caregivers and Care Teams Allow Consumers to Focus on Healing Use chairs that are high enough that your knee is lower than your hip when bent. First things first, hip replacement surgery will hurt. Slips and falls are common reasons for hip replacement surgeries in the first place. Move low-height tables away from the couch and chairs. These precautions are pretty standard to prevent your new hip from dislocating and to help with a quick and thorough recovery. She suggests starting with the following six steps. Caregivers and care teams play a major role in the consumer's recovery after the surgery. The first day that might just mean getting out of bed and to the hallway. “A nice, fat body pillow provides comfort and helps promote restful sleep.”. Ask your doctor about safe sleep positions. The chair should be tall enough that your hips are level with or higher than your knees. Your mobility will be limited, and you will need to depend on others to help you with your regular activities of daily living. Consider using double-face tape to secure carpet edges. It is best if all stairs have railings. Ultimately your new hip joint should give you pain-free movement for approximately 20 years, so make the most of your hip surgery and enjoy a healthy, active life. If you had surgery on the side you use to drive, it may take longer to get behind the wheel. Move items you use a lot in the kitchen to tabletop-height surfaces or to middle shelves. Instead of paying the full price out-of-pocket (medical equipment is frequently not covered by many insurance plans) or even your deductible’s portion of these items, check in your area for free or low-cost community resources. Getting up and active following surgery is vital to speeding up your recovery after a hip replacement. After your surgical staples are removed, you’ll be able to start to work on walking without a walker or cane. “You’ll be shuffling your feet for a while,” says Bergin. Do something you can enjoy. Learn about Home Care Assistance's elderly, in home care by reading here. This can be a friend, family member or a caregiver. Please contact our office if you're interested in our outpatient program. Over 300,000 people have hip replacement surgery each year in the United States. These results are encouraging but it is not an overnight cure. 10-12 weeks will feel like a long time, but once you are enjoying a pain-free stroll or game of golf, that time will be just a memory. Online shopping for Hip Replacement Recovery Kits from a great selection at Health & Personal Care Store. What will you experience after your hip replacement? Have clear pathways and remove clutter around your home. On the first day, a significant amount of surgical pain medication will be in your system. Carry a cordless phone or cell phone when you are home alone in case of an emergency. At some point, you are going to feel like your recovery is taking too long. from your home. 3) Apply ice to hip for 20 minutes 3 times per day for 2 weeks. Along with following your surgeon’s discharge plan for exercise and physical therapy, it’s important to make a few changes to your home. Physical therapy after hip replacement: Can rehab happen at home? Get help if you need it, think about how far you have already come, then get back up, keep on moving and eating healthy. If you are adding a railing, extend it a few inches past the end of the staircase. The nursing staff will monitor your condition and you’ll have a large dressing on your leg to protect the wound. Do the following for up to 8 weeks after your hip replacement: Sit in a straight-backed chair. “Preparing your home with the same care shown to your physical recovery will set you up for success,” says Barbara Bergin, M.D. It is very important to discuss your home environment with your doctor and care team to formulate your optimal postoperative plan before you have surgery. Also reference the home and equipment worksheet for additional ideas to ready your home and to get ideas for equipment you might need after surgery. They reported relief from hip pain and were able to be more active and connected with their loved ones following the surgery. Plug in a night light. Bedroom. Although you had surgery on the largest joint in your body, you will be walking on it in only one or two days. You will probably feel like you got hit by a truck. To avoid hospital readmission with an injury to your other hip, or damaging the replacement, Bergin suggests removing all throw rugs, floor mats, etc. Move items you use a lot in the bathroom to tabletop-height surfaces or to middle shelves. Initially, you will likely find that an automatic transmission is easier to drive. “They clean the equipment, check to make sure it is safe, and lend it back out to members of the community who need it. Be aware of uneven ground around your home and in your yard. Inflammation means swelling and swelling means pain. But in the first days and weeks at home, some of life’s little tasks like getting dressed or feeling steady while retrieving something from a cabinet might be challenging. Installing a handicap or comfort height toilet is a better option than a temporary elevated toilets apparatus, says Bergen. This can be especially awkward if it is your parent that has had a hip replacement and you are accompanying them to a doctor’s appointment. Your surgical staples will usually come out on day 10-14 and then you can bathe or shower again. Find someone to help care for your pet if needed. Typically, after two to four days you will be discharged from the hospital to either your home or to a rehabilitation facility. You may feel groggy but not as uncomfortable. However, you will need to make sure that you are no longer taking any pain medication that affects your response time or makes you groggy. Also consider other key areas for grab bars such as by the toilet. Blood clots are a serious risk following all types of surgery but can be prevented by early movement and exercise. After surgery After the operation, you’ll be lying flat on your back and may have a pillow between your legs to keep your hip in the correct position. When a person has hip replacement surgery, the home becomes an important part of returning to normal life after the hospital stay. Whether it’s for one month or ten years, our caregivers can help your loved one live the life they want at home. Your feet should touch the ground. Plan on being in the hospital with your loved one as much as … Move low-height tables away from the couch and chairs. That aching, painful and stiff hip has reduced your quality of life. Take a break and relax from pushing yourself. Bergin says over time, you may easily perform many daily activities once again. Contact us now for your complimentary in-home assessment. “Elevating the legs helps get that swelling down,” Bergin says. Don’t feel discouraged by this! Even simple things like going to the bathroom will require assistance. Be sure your driveway and walking paths are uncluttered. You will learn a lot at the hospital. Make sure that you have a sturdy chair that is higher than average and firm. You can increase the chair height with extra cushion or furniture risers. Various ways a caregiver can help after joint replacement surgery may include: Help prepare for the surgery. Dr. Mehran, an orthopedic surgeon, shares this rule of thumb, “If you are still needing to use a walker, you are probably not ready for sex yet.” Still using a walker usually means that you have not yet regained enough strength and balance. As a result, you can trip on throw rugs, including those you use in the bathroom or kitchen. Apply adhesive slip strips or a bath mat to the tub or shower floor. *Varies by location | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Equal Opportunity Employer | Sitemap | Personal Data Opt-Out. After some types of surgery, you'll need to get special gear at home. Learn More. Home Care Assistance can help you or a loved one today. After surgery, your body sends a large number of inflammatory cells to the injured area in order to help with the healing process. You can’t enjoy the activities you used to love, like a good golf game, a walk around the block or even playing with the grandkids, without constant pain. Use armrests to help you rise from a seated position. Some drainage may persist for up to 2 weeks after surgery. Move items you use a lot in the garage or workshop to tabletop-height surfaces or to middle shelves. Home Care Assistance has implemented strict procedures for COVID to help our clients follow the CDC guidelines and stay safely at home. Kitchen. But a sponge bath will feel heavenly when you get home! A successful recovery requires a lot of patience as well as adherence to physician directed exercise and medication plans. Patients´ Experiences of Pain Following Day Surgery - At 48 Hours, Seven Days and Three Months, Sexual Function before and after Total Hip Replacement: Narrative Review. Consider first floor options (temporary) if your bathroom is not on the main floor. Check each item box as you complete that item. Make a walking path that a walking aid such as a walker will fit through your home. Pick out a chair to sit in when you come home. Also, make sure you can tip your foot up and down without pain prior to driving. Be prepared to make your health care wishes known, Mobility and activity techniques for daily living, Preparing your home for your needs after surgery, Food and liquid restrictions before surgery, Medicines that may be used during your recovery after surgery, Tips to prevent falls while you are in the hospital, Mobility guidelines including home exercises, Allina Health's Patient Education Department, Allina Health's Patient Education Department experts. Allow your knees to sit higher than your hips. Don't let it get wet for the first 24 hours after your surgery. Read: 6 Insider Tips to Help You Plan for a Hospital Stay, Speed up the recovery process by eating healing foods, Read: Fall Prevention - Taking Care of Yourself and Your Home. These organizations accept medical equipment from community members who no longer need it. Participating in physical therapy after hip replacement surgery helps improve blood flow and build muscle strength. How successful is hip replacement surgery? Hip replacement is an excellent option to increase your health and quality of life. Do not lean forward to put on pants, socks, or shoes. Pick out a chair to sit in when you come home. She encourages people to have a few handy gadgets to make these tasks as stress-free—and safe—as possible. Otherwise, place a bar of soap in a nylon stocking and tie it to a soap dish. The typical hospital stay after hip replacement is one night, but some patients stay longer, while others go home on their surgery day. 2) Keep a bandage on the wound and change it every 2 days until there is no longer drainage. Transitional care unit (TCU) or short-term rehabilitation center Many people can return home at discharge but there are some who need more help and services than can be reasonably provided at home. Here at IP Homecare, we understand that the rehabilitation process following knee or hip replacement surgery can be a demanding time that requires commitment and support. Most patients are required to follow the 90 degree rule and sitting or rising from a … Don’t forget to move around as much as you can while at home. Check stair railings to make sure they are secure. You're ready to do home exercises on your own. It also helps you to begin moving safely. This will help you to have better movement. You can expect it to take 10-12 weeks before you are able to return to all your favorite activities. So we've gathered the answer to common questions. Research shows that the overwhelming majority of patients are able to safely return home after hip or knee replacement surgery. Have access to a shower, tub transfer bench or both for bathing. You can walk with a cane, walker or crutches. Here is are tips to help you or a loved one recovery after a hip replacement. Cordless phones or cell phones are helpful. Organizations like these usually provide an online directory of locations that provide these services throughout the country and can be very helpful for patients. You may need a raised toilet seat or commode. Here are some goals to use as a checklist when transitioning back to your home. If you do not have someone to help you at home for the first 1 or 2 weeks after surgery, ask your provider about having a trained caregiver come to your home. Speed up the recovery process by eating healing foods like berries and dark leafy greens. COVID-19 Update: Click here for more information on senior safety. Getting out of bed will also help to maintain and increase your muscle strength while preventing your new hip from getting stiff. SEX AFTER A JOINT REPLACEMENT: THE DEFINITIVE HOW-TO GUIDE. Consider using a soap dispenser with liquid soap in the bathtub or shower rather than using hand-held soap. It will take time before you are out dancing again! Call a Care Advisor today at 650-770-1456 or click here to schedule a free assessment and learn more about how we can support your needs. Home Care Assistance does not sell personal information to third-parties. Your pain is adequately under control. Lean forward while sitting, especially to pick something up off the floor. Home Care Assistance serves more clients from more company owned and operated locations than any other organization, making us the largest provider of premium senior care in the country.