Anyone familiar with modern hip surgery?

[rshives]

I've had my right hip replaced and need to have my left one done soon. I was up and around the next day. Didn't want to be, but did it anyway. I agree with physical therapy. And maybe even some exercise before the surgery to strengthen the hip muscles. If I remember correctly I was walking by myself a couple of days afterward. Now I was in my mid 40s so it'll be different with her, but she should be okay if she does the exercise.

[Ronin13]

Awesome- she read through this huge packet this weekend of all the dos and don'ts and it seems like 6 weeks of limited ROM and strict ways of sitting, laying down and what not, but other than that I'll push her to move around and build muscle- but not over do it. Thanks!
And Dingo- what exactly do you do? I'd love to hear some advice and dos and don'ts and what not.

[Dingo]

Ok, first off - she's 63, so that's definitely in her favor. She should bounce back from this pretty quickly. Since it seems everybody else hit on the main talking points, I'll just jump in and say that getting moving as soon as the doctor clears you (most of them say you can stand on it as soon as you're awake enough to bear weight) is crucial. Inactivity, coupled with heavy meds (anesthesia, pain killers etc) is a recipe for pneumonia and other issues like clots. Most people under the age of 70 should be up and on their feet within 2-3 days, barring any complications. The incisions typically heal quickly, and the pain becomes manageable after a day or two. Hip surgeries are really one of the easier, less complicated orthopedic surgeries to bounce back from. Just make sure she gets an anti-biotic before and after the surgery. (I know that seems like common sense, but I've taken care of people who had permanent, lifelong infections eating at their bones because the surgeon forgot to set up antibiotic prophylaxis.)

[Dingo]

Just saw your post... I'm an RN, on a busy post-op floor.

[Dingo]

They'll teach you a few motions to avoid for a while, like crossing the legs, fetal position, internal rotataion etc. Other than that, and making sure she gets moving as soon as possible, this should be a pretty straight-forward procedure.

[Dingo]

You'll want to keep an eye on the incision for a week or two, making sure it stays approximated (sealed and edges intact), with no drainage (small amounts of blood are expected, but nothing yellow/green/whiteish), and no extra warmth or redness around it. Some bruising is to be expected - don't worry about that. And it wouldn't hurt to check the affected foot/toes once or twice a day - you can squeeze the toenail and count the seconds it takes to refill with blood. Somebody with good circulation should have it return in <5 seconds. That's a rare, but potential issue with surgery on a limb - every once in a blue moon, a clot forms or the swelling in the tissue can occlude a vessel. Rare, but good to keep an eye out for.

[Ronin13]

Wow... Dingo the super nurse! That's awesome, thanks! Yeah she's a pretty active 63 year old- she does yoga, in home, and walks the dogs almost every day... The packet also showed the sitting positions she can and can't do, and how to sleep and all that. 6 week recovery from start to finish... And yes, I know about cap refill, didn't even think about watching for a clot.

[Dingo]

Cue the Nurse Focker jokes............ ;-)

[Gman]

I've got nipples. Can you milk me, Focker?

For the record, it's MRSA.

I believe the implants that had problems were Stryker and DePuy.

Sent from my tactical android.

[Ronin13]

I've got nipples. Can you milk me, Focker?

For the record, it's MRSA.

I believe the implants that had problems were Stryker and DePuy.

Sent from my tactical android.

BAHAHAHAHAHA! "Wait a minute, so your name is Gay Focker?"
We made sure that the implants aren't the ones that are involved in that lawsuit.