What to Expect during the First Week after your Hip Replacement Operation

The first week after your hip replacement surgery can be challenging both emotionally and physically. However, knowing in advance that what you might be feeling is normal, definitely helps. When you know it is just a matter of time before you will be up and walking around as usual will help you feel less anxious and more confident.

During the first few days you need to take extra care as tissues repair and energy is restored. Paying attention to good nutrition, having plenty of rest and doing what your medical team tells you will all help towards a smooth post operative recovery.

You may opt to go straight home after surgery but we recommend finding a good post operative convalescent home where you can be looked after in the first week or two after your operation. It is important that you get the right support in the right surroundings during your crucial healing period.

What happens immediately after surgery?

1. Waking Up After Surgery

You can expect to slowly recover consciousness in the recovery room after your surgery. You might at first experience drowsiness from the anesthetic, a bit of discomfort and possibly confusion. Your medical team at the hospital will look after you and regularly monitor your vital signs as well as give you medication to control any pain or soreness as required.

2. Pain Management

You may expect some level of pain after hip replacement surgery but the degree varies from person to person. Your medical team will always be on hand to provide you with pain medication as required. You may receive the medication intravenously or via oral pills depending on the hospital’s protocol. Make sure you tell the medical team if you are feeling uncomfortable as they can adjust your pain relief accordingly.

3. Mobility and Rest

You will be encouraged to do some light movement almost immediately after surgery to improve circulation and prevent stiffness. Sometimes this is the last thing you feel like doing but have faith in your medical team because they want the best possible outcome too! You will probably be supported to sit up and perform some gentle exercises while also being advised to get plenty of rest so your body can start to heal itself.

4. Initial Side Effects

During the first week following the hip replacement surgery, you are likely to undergo pain management, restricted mobility, swelling, and various side effects from nausea to dizziness, and also grogginess. Rest, sincerely follow guidelines, and also attend all respective follow-up appointments.

You may control nausea using prescription medications and clear fluids with minimal heavy meals. Try not to fall by moving slowly and staying steady, and rest very well to overcome grogginess. You need to strictly follow the instructions of your doctor about taking medications and mobility to ensure quick recovery.

Going home after your hip replacement surgery

1. Discharge Process and Instructions

You will be given your discharge notes which contain details of your hip replacement surgery as well as a list of medication and onward treatment. Ensure you read it before you leave the hospital so you have time to ask any questions you may have.

2. Your Recovery Space at Home

Once your hip replacement surgery date is confirmed, you should make time to set up your home so it is ready for when you are discharged from hospital. This means that when you get home, there is space for you to move around with your walking aid. You should also be able to get in and out of your bed on the most comfortable side depending on which hip you had replaced. All items you regularly use should be accessible to reduce any initial awkward bending and stretching.

3. Medication and Pain Control

Make sure you fully understand your medication plan that is in the discharge notes. You should follow it precisely to prevent pain and complications. You may write down a schedule on a piece of paper as a reminder on what days, at what time and in what order you need to take the prescribed medication.

4. Handling Postoperative Fatigue

If you are feeling unusually tired, do not worry. This is completely normal: you have been through a lot. Try to find an even balance between light activity and rest. It is important that you conserve your energy for important physical activities, such as going to the bathroom or cooking a meal as well as for gentle prescribed exercise such as walking.

Going to a convalescent home after your hip replacement surgery

If you opt to stay at a convalescent home after you are discharged from hospital, the emphasis changes. At home you have to look after yourself in your home environment as well as focusing on your recovery. At a convalescent home, your everyday needs such as cooking and cleaning are done for you. All the equipment you need such as walkers or crutches are on hand. You get help with your medication timetable. The rooms are spacious and the bedrooms are modified for whichever side your hip replacement surgery has taken place. Overall you can enjoy a much more relaxed and beneficial environment than going straight home after your hip replacement surgery. 

1. Discharge Process and Instructions

Your medical team at the hospital will give you your discharge notes. When you get to the convalescent home, you can hand them over to the nurse who will ensure all the requirements are taken care of.

2. Recovery space

Convalescent Homes are modified to ensure that you get the best possible space for your recovery after a hip replacement operation. This includes things such as lifts as well as stairs, wide corridors, walk-in showers, easy access to the bed from either side as well as the option to higher or lower the bed, and spacious lounges where you can relax in privacy or meet like-minded people.

3. Medication and pain control

At a convalescent home you do not need to worry about your medication as in the initial stages all of this will be handled by the professional staff. At Rustington Convalescent Home, as you start to feel better, you will be encouraged to take ownership of your medication with the help of the nurses. This means that when you are ready to go home, you are confident that you know all about your medication schedule and feel comfortable sorting it out yourself.

4. Handling postoperative fatigue

Everything will be taken care of for you at a convalescent home. You do not need to do any cleaning because it is all done for you. You do not need to do any cooking because your meals will all be prepared for you at regular times throughout the day. The aim of a convalescent home is to give you the perfect environment to focus on yourself and your recovery. You can leave everything else to the convalescent home team!

Monitoring your healing in your first week

1. Checking Your Incision Site

Proper wound care is vital to prevent infection. It is important to check that the incision site is clean and dry as instructed and monitor it for redness, swelling, or discharge. If you are staying in a convalescent home, the nursing staff will check your wound regularly. If you have any concerns you can just ask them and discuss your worries.

2. Recognising Complications Early

Other signs and symptoms you need to look out for include fever, bad pain or swelling in your legs. If you are at home, make yourself aware of the indicators and always contact your GP or other medical professional if you are in any way concerned. If you are recovering in a convalescent care after your hip replacement, your care team will keep an eye out for anything untoward and take prompt action if needed.

Gentle movement and exercises in your first week

Light movement is very important after hip replacement surgery as it promotes circulation, helps to reduce the risk of blood clots and any stiffness, and enhances healing. You should focus on small, achievable goals to regain mobility and build confidence. Make sure you talk to a healthcare professional to get the right exercises for your hip replacement surgery depending on your age and mobility prior to the surgery. Your healthcare professional may suggest exercises similar to the following:

• Ankle pumps and circles
• Thigh squeezes
• Buttocks squeezes
• Heel slides
• Leg slides
• Seated kicks

Avoid over- and under-exertion in the first week

It may be tempting to do more than you should in the first week after your hip replacement operation. Equally if you are not feeling great, it may be tempting to do less than you should. It is important that you get the right balance. If you overexert yourself after your hip replacement surgery, you are likely to feel more pain, swelling or dizziness. At worst, you may affect your surgery such that it needs to be redone. If you do not do enough, you will stiffen up which will also lead to pain or more serious complications. Try and set realistic goals to give yourself periods of gentle activity followed by rest. And do not forget at the beginning even if you make a cup of tea or coffee it is classed as activity.

Nutrition and hydration in the first week

After your hip replacement surgery it is important for you to eat nutritionally balanced meals. Make sure you eat plenty of high protein and nutrient dense food intake to promote healing. Try combining lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy and legumes with fruits and vegetables into each meal.

Sometimes that is easier to say than do, especially as you may experience a loss of appetite in the immediate postoperative period. This can be due to the anaesthetic, pain medication or your body’s response to the stress of the hip replacement operation.

If you do not feel hungry, you still need to eat. You should try having small, frequent meals instead of large ones to prevent nausea and provide adequate nutrition. Focus on bland, easy-to-digest foods such as crackers, toast, or bananas. Ginger or peppermint tea can soothe your nausea. If you are still having problems after a day or two, make sure you get in touch with your healthcare provider. If you are staying at Rustington Convalescent Home, you may inform the staff and they will conjure up some healthy food that you are sure to like!

Along with eating well, it is equally important that you drink adequate water throughout the day.
The fluid intake will help with your recovery as well as facilitating the action of your medication. It is generally recommended that you drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. You can monitor how well hydrated you are by the colour of your urine.

Mental and Emotional Health in the first week

1. Coping with Emotional Changes

It is likely that you will not feel yourself as you start to recover from your hip replacement surgery. This is completely normal. Many people feel more emotional and you may experience mood swings and anxiety. Do not worry. Try managing your stress by practising deep breathing exercises and gentle activity. You may also talk to friends and family which can also help. If you are in a convalescent home, you can talk to other people who are either going through or have gone through this awkward stage. And be assured…it gets better!

2. Importance of Support Systems

Support systems are a core part of recovery. Family and caregivers can support you through emotional encouragement and practical assistance. It is helpful if you can clearly communicate your feelings and are specific about what you need. This will encourage open dialogue and ensure you receive the support necessary for healing.

3. Setting Realistic Expectations

You should set realistic expectations at the time of recovery which is important since you are likely to expect emotional ups and downs. You need to try and be patient as healing takes time but the more you put into it at the beginning, the better the outcome. Keep track of tiny achievements, practice self-compassion, and look at the bright side with journaling or mindfulness exercises. Keep the right people around you to help build optimism.

Sleeping Comfortably During the First Week

1 Finding the Right Sleeping Position

The right sleeping position after hip surgery can be very helpful in your comfort and healing process. Try to sleep on your back or on your non-operated side, using pillows to support your knees or between your legs. You could consider a wedge pillow for elevation and comfort. It is important for you to get the proper positioning because it will alleviate your pain and promote restful sleep during your recovery.

2. Managing Night-Time Discomfort

A good night’s sleep will do wonders for your recovery after your hip replacement surgery. Before you get ready for bed, make sure you have all you need in your bedroom such as water, reading material, blankets and any medication you need. Try and make your bedroom as comfortable as possible. You could keep the lights low and soothing and put on some relaxing music as you get ready for bed. Remember to use pillows or supports while sleeping to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. It may also be worth trying some mindfulness techniques to help improve the quality of your sleep during recovery.

3. Handling Sleep Disturbances

You are likely to experience sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and restlessness, which are common in the early days after surgery. Establish a soothing bedtime routine, use relaxation techniques, and keep the sleep environment comfortable. The NHS has a service which sends sleep tips once a week for 6 weeks to your email inbox if you sign up which you can do here. It will give you tips on how to make “`goodnight` a great night”!

Conclusion

To be honest, the first week after your hip replacement recovery is often characterised by soreness, tiredness and low mobility. But do not let that put you off. It does not usually take long before you forget the first few days as you progress in your recovery. The results of so many people who have had hip replacement surgery show just how amazing it is and how transformative it is to getting you back to doing what you want to do. Do not be put off. Arm yourself with the knowledge that the first week may be difficult but know that it gets better as your recovery continues.

And do not forget Rustington Convalescent Home can make your first week so much easier by taking away your day-to-day worries, being on hand for any medical and emotional help and advice and we offer the most amazing, mood lifting meals and company too!