After Surgery
Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery
Pre-operative: It will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes to get signatures for surgical consents and to review the instructions regarding your surgery. Be sure to bring a list of current medications, including the drug name, dosage, and the days and times you typically take them.
Pre-admission Appointment: Prior to this appointment—which takes place at the hospital—you should have had your pre-operative tests performed by your family doctor. This appointment will take approximately one to two hours for lab tests, including blood work, EKG, and chest X-ray. If you have a heart or lung condition, or if you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, you must see your family doctor prior to surgery and get medical clearance. Before you leave, you will also meet with someone from the anesthesia department.
Pre-operative Information
Admission: You will be admitted to the hospital the morning of your surgery.
Medications: Stop anti-inflammatory medications and/or aspirin; if you take anticoagulants such as Coumadin, asprin or Lovenox, your surgeon will tell you how long you should cease taking them prior to surgery.
Food and drink: Do not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to surgery, except for prescribed medications. On the day of surgery, if you do have a prescribed medication to take, swallow it with a small sip of water.
Length of Surgery: The length of surgery is one to two hours followed by another one to two hours in the recovery room.
After Spine Surgery (Post Operative)
Length of Hospitalization: Average stay is three to 10 days, this varies according to an individual's general health and any complications that may occur.
Anesthesia: A spinal or epidural is usually recommended, but some patients undergo general anesthesia. IV sedation is used with the epidural to help you relax and sleep.
Blood Transfusions: We generally have patients donate one unit of their own blood to be used after their surgery if necessary. This will be arranged for you pre-operatively in coordination with your family doctor.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy begins the day after surgery. A therapist will come to your room and help you with exercises and walking. You will receive therapy twice a day while you’re in the hospital. Following home physical therapy you may go to an outpatient physical therapy facility two to three times a week for four to six weeks. Before surgery, please consult with our staff to arrange a home health company and outpatient physical therapy with Round Rock Orthopaedics & Rehab.
IMPORTANT: Prior to surgery, VERIFY INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS PASSIVE MOTION (CPM) AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. THESE ITEMS ARE NOT ALWAYS COVERED BY ALL COMPANIES. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONFIRM THE NUMBER OF PHYSICAL THERAPY VISITS APPROVED BY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY FOLLOWING SURGERY. INFORM YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY PROVIDER ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BEFORE YOU BEGIN THERAPY.
Crutches/Walker: Initially you will walk with a walker, which will be provided while you are in the hospital. As you progress, your physical therapist may switch you to crutches or a cane.
Wound Care: The surgical dressing is usually removed after two days. You may keep the incision open to air as long as there is no bleeding or drainage. We will remove your sutures in the office approximately two weeks after your surgery.
Pain management: For the first one to two days after surgery, pain is very well controlled with a PCA (patient controlled anesthesia). It is important to maintain a schedule for the pain medications provided and prescribed. It is best to address the pain before it intensifies. Pain is manageable with medications and will lessen as your surgery heals. Pain medicine can cause itching, nausea, and/or constipation. These are all common side-effects of narcotic-based medications and do not necessarily indicate a drug allergy.
Driving: Most patients are able to safely drive a car approximately six weeks after surgery for very short distances only. We recommend that patients do not drive cars with a manual transmission while they are healing because of the sudden and jerky movements that can accompany shifting gears and using the clutch.
Home Care: You will need help with meal preparation for one to two weeks following discharge from the hospital. We recommend that you have someone stay with you after you leave the hospital for at least a week (and longer if possible). If this is not possible, please let the nurse know you will need assistance after surgery.
Things to Report: Call the office at (512) 244-0766 if you develop any of the following:
- Redness around the incision
- Drainage or bleeding from the incision
- Fever over 101 degrees
- Increased swelling
- Persistent headaches or lightheadedness
Return to Work: Following total hip replacement, you will be able to return to sedentary work four to six weeks after surgery. We recommend restricting certain work activities:
- No heavy lifting
- Limited bending, stooping, and squatting
PLEASE NOTE: After hip replacement, it will be necessary for you to take antibiotics before you undergo any standard dental work or teeth cleaning. Please contact our office at (512) 244-0766 to arrange for a prescription. If you are on any blood thinners (Coumadin, aspirin) or if you are diabetic, please notify one of the nursing staff at Round Rock Orthopaedics & Rehab.
