Having hip replacement surgery is no easy feat as it requires an extensive preparation before, during and after. And while having hip replacement surgery can greatly improve your life, you will experience pain post-surgery before things improve. This is why it’s crucial to understand how to take care of yourself. The following are three suggestions that you should follow after your surgery to ensure a quick recovery and a more successful outcome.
Managing Your Pain
After your surgery, you may experience pain that worsens as you become more active, so knowing how to manage your pain is important. It’s common to feel pain at the incision or in the groin area of the hip that was replaced. Be sure to take your prescribed medication as directed and if your pain becomes unmanageable or if you experience adverse side effects, make sure to contact your doctor right away.
Caring for the Incision
Knowing how to properly care for your incision post-surgery is important so you don’t develop a serious infection. Care for your incision as instructed by your doctor and make sure to keep the incision dry until your staples are removed. Be sure to monitor your incision and watch for any signs of infection. Possible signs of infection include:
- Fever
- Shaking
- Chills
- Increased Redness
- Swelling
- Drainage
- Excessive Pain
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Reducing Swelling
Swelling is a normal symptom you may experience after your hip replacement, specifically swelling in the morning, increasing throughout the day. You can reduce swelling by elevating your leg for 30 minutes to one hour during the day. If you notice increased swelling when you wake up in the morning, contact your doctor.
