Hip replacement surgery

Hip replacement surgery uses metal, ceramic, or plastic parts to replace the ball at the top of the thighbone (femur). In a total hip replacement, the doctor also replaces the hip socket. In a partial hip replacement, the socket is not replaced.

Hip replacement surgery is done through one or two cuts (incisions). The cuts may be toward the front (anterior) of your hip. Or they may be on the side or toward the back (posterior). Your doctor will talk with you about which type of surgery might be best for you.

Your doctor will let you know if you will stay in the hospital or if you can go home the day of surgery. Your physical therapy will start before you leave the hospital. You may need physical therapy after you leave the hospital. At home you'll keep doing the exercises you learned.

It usually takes a few months to get back to full activity. Your doctor will tell you when you can go back to work. This depends on the kind of surgery and the type of job you have.

After you recover, you likely will have much less pain than before the surgery. You should be able to return to most of your normal activities. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid strenuous activities. These include running, tennis, and any type of skiing.

Always tell your health professionals that you have an artificial hip so they will know how to care for you.

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you safely prepare and know what to expect.

• Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
• When you go home, you'll need someone to help you until you have more energy and can move around better.
• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• You may need to shower or bathe with a special soap the night before and the morning of your surgery. This may help prevent an infection.

Some sex positions are better than others for your hips. Some positions could cause you to dislocate your hip. So your doctor may want you to avoid certain positions, especially for the first few months.

Your physical therapist may give you suggestions to help you avoid hip problems. They might include these tips:

• Keep your knees apart while you sit or lie down.
• Be very careful as you get in or out of bed so your leg doesn't cross the imaginary line down the center of your body.
• Try not to twist your hip. Keep your knee and toes pointing forward.
• If you had an anterior replacement:
  • Do not lie on your stomach.
• If you had a posterior replacement:
  • Do not bend your hip more than 90 degrees (like the angle in a letter "L").
  • Do not sit on low chairs or beds.

Tell your doctor or physical therapist about any concerns you have about sex. Talk about physical problems that prevent you from having or enjoying sex. Talk about any fears or worries you have.

Follow your care team's instructions for how to care for yourself at home.

Activity.

Avoid activities that could dislocate your hip. For example, you'll need to take care when getting in and out of bed or a car. And don't cross your legs. Your physical therapist will teach you exercises. You'll learn to move around with a walker, crutches, or a cane.

Diet.

Eat healthy foods, and watch your portion sizes. Drink plenty of water. Try to stay at your ideal weight.

Medicines.

Take all medicines, including pain medicines and blood thinners, exactly as your doctor prescribed.

Incision care.

Follow your doctor's instructions about how to care for your cut (incision) and when you can shower.

Ice.

For pain, put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.

Your doctor will help you know when it's okay for you to have sex. For most people, having sex is safe 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Sometimes doctors are so focused on your recovery that they may not ask about other important parts of your life, like sex. It may be up to you to bring up the subject.

To help get the conversation going, try these tips:

• If you think you will have trouble bringing up sex, practice how you will introduce the subject. You might say something like, "I have some concerns about having sex without hurting my new hip. I'd like to talk about that today."
• Before your appointment, make a list of questions to ask your doctor. Be as specific as you can.
• If you have trouble asking the questions directly or you feel rushed, give your list of questions to your doctor. Then ask for another appointment to discuss them.