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Total Hip/Knee Replacement Recovery at Home

Follow these instructions for care as your new joint heals over the next 6 to 8 weeks. Don't try to overdo or push yourself beyond the limits of the pain.

 

Home Care

• You will be discharged from the hospital 1 to 3 days after surgery. Guidance on Home Care will be reviewed with you. You will need a follow-up appointment. You will be given a date or a phone number to call to make an appointment.
• Your medications may change after surgery. You will receive prescriptions for new drugs and instructions on continuing to take medications after surgery.
• Use your walker or cane as directed.
• You will need help getting home. If needed, your health care team will help you arrange home care, equipment, physical therapy, or a long-term care facility.


Call your doctor directly if you have: 

• Increasing redness, swelling, or discharge at the incision
• Fever above 101 degrees F or 38 degrees C
• The edges of the wound begin to split
• Leg pain, tingling, numbness or cold
• Your legs become pale or pale

Wound care

• Your incision can be closed with staples, sutures or a special tape called steri-tapes.
• Wash the incision thoroughly with soap and water, then dry with a clean towel. Do not apply lotion or powder near the wound.
• You can take a shower at least two days after the surgery. Do not spray Rinse directly on a wound during the first two weeks. Do not shower for two weeks after surgery.
• Staples or sutures will be removed during the visit. The threads will start to fall out in 7-10 days. If they haven't come after 2, weeks, you can gently remove them.

 Swelling 

• Swelling of the feet, ankles, knees and thighs is common after total joint replacement surgery. 
• To prevent swelling, lie down or stretch with your feet above heart level for 5 to 60 minutes. Do this twice a day.
• Call your orthopedic doctor at Hadi Clinic on 25363000 if the swelling doesn't go away after a good night's sleep and raise your legs above your heart. 
• Your doctor may ask you to wear compression stockings to reduce swelling. If so, put it on during the day and take it off at night. Wash the socks with soap and water, then hang them to dry. Have someone put on the socks and then carefully take them off.

Blood Thinning Medicines
• Your doctor may prescribe blood thinners for 1-3 weeks
to reduce your risk of blood clots. This medicine may be given as
an injection into the abdomen. You will be taught how to give this
medicine.
•If you take aspirin, aspirin-containing products, arthritis medications, or other blood-thinning medications, talk to your doctor about whether you should stop taking these medications while receiving these injections. this drug or not.

Sitting 
• Do not sit for more than 30 minutes at a time. Get up, walk and change your position.
• Avoid long car trips. If you must travel, stop every 30 minutes.
Get out of the car and move around. This will prevent blood clots,
decrease swelling and help decrease joint stiffness.

Walking
• Use a walker or cane for any activity to avoid falls.
• Don't walk without a walker or crutches until your doctor says it's okay.
• Walk and get out frequently on flat surfaces, weather permitting. The mall is a great place to walk during the rain.

Sleep 
• Do not use a water bed until authorized by your doctor.
• If you've had hip replacement surgery, sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees and feet 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches) apart. Do not lie on your side or stomach while sleeping. 

 Climb stairs 
• For the first few weeks at home, you can go up and down stairs once a day with help 
• Have a friend or family member stand behind you when you go up and in front of you when you get off the car. Hold the handrail tightly

 Sexual activity
• After knee replacement surgery, you can resume sexual activity as soon as you feel you can. 
• After hip replacement surgery, you can resume sexual activity 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Ideally you should be on the bottom, legs apart and slightly bent. Avoid bending or twisting your hips. Do not turn your feet inward. After several months of healing, you can resume sexual activity in any comfortable position.

 Driving a car 
• Don't drive a car until your doctor says everything is fine - usually 6 weeks after surgery.
• Only drive if you can control your operated leg and you are not taking pain medication.

 
Other special precautions after hip replacement surgery 

You need to follow these precautions in order to protect your new hip while your muscles heal. Follow these instructions for 2 to 6 months, or as directed by your doctor. 

 • Do not cross your legs at the knees or ankles when you are sitting or lying down. 
 • It is forbidden to sit on low surfaces like chairs, toilets or car seats. Sit with hips higher than knees. 
 • Do not twist the stem. Move your whole body when turning. 
 • Do not bend forward at your waist more than 90° and do not raise your knees above your hips 
 • Do not retract your knees when sitting or lying down. 
 • Do not sit cross-legged. Keep your feet 8 to 12 inches apart 20 to 30 cm when you're already seated 


 Activity after your joint has healed 

 • Your new joint may be damaged by rough treatment. Avoid activities that may cause additional strain or injury to joints such as baseball, basketball, running and tennis 
 • Perform physical therapy exercises to keep muscles and ligaments strong for support your joints 
 • Maintain a healthy weight for your height. 
 • After your joint has healed, about 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, you can resume slow jumping, swimming, and other activities. 

Consult your doctor before starting any new activity

 
Water Walking
• To walk on the water in the pool is relaxing and will strength your muscles especially in the
hip and leg.
• it is not allowed to walk on the water unless cleared by your doctor and your incision is completely healed - usually 6 weeks after surgery.
• Enter the pool to chest high water. Hold onto the side of the pool and
walk for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat 3 to 5 days each week.
Preventing Infection

It is important to prevent and treat infections because infections can travel through the bloodstream to your joints. 

• Take antibiotics before any future surgery or dental work. 

Call your GP and let them know what you did and get an antibiotic prescription. 

• Tell all your doctors, including your dentist, that you have had joint replacement surgery.

• You must see your dentist every 6 months to prevent tooth infections. Before your appointment, call your dentist for an antibiotic prescription
• If you think you have any infection, do not hesitate to contact our Best Orthopedic Specialist Hip and knee preserving surgery in Kuwait at Hadi clinic. 
Talk to him if you have any concerns about how to care for your new joint.

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