Your post-surgery instructions …
Total Hip Replacement
To help you feel like yourself, sooner.
In the Hospital
Dr. Khoury wants you to be up and moving within a few hours post-surgery, with the assistance of your care team - Nurses and Physiotherapists on hand to assist you.
We cannot emphasise how important mobility is for your recovery to reduce digestive/ circulatory problems and to help you heal.
Any delay in mobilisation can increase your chances of developing post-operative complications such as constipation and blood clots.
During your time in the hospital, Dr. Khoury will see you during ward rounds and is always available to see you, if need be.
Your physiotherapist will also visit you and will help you to achieve the activities such as getting in and out of bed, walking, and going up and down stairs. Also moving about (using a frame or crutches), and using the toilet.
You will leave the hospital once Dr. Khoury and your care team believe you are ready to go home and will make that decision with you also. (On average patients are 3 - 4 nights in the hospital).
You should be able to fully bear weight on your leg when discharged from the hospital, but most patients may need to use crutches, a cane, or a walker for a few weeks until they are comfortable walking. You will be given a prescription for pain medication to go home with and organised follow up appointments for our rooms.
You will then see Dr. Khoury again at around the six week mark after surgery.
Hospital to Home ….
You will need help at home / or for someone to pop in and assist you for several weeks post-surgery.
There is clinically no evidence to suggest rehab is better for recovery than going home and completing rehab with a physiotherapist / at-home rehab
If you would like to attend rehab, you are very welcome too and the hospital will help you to arrange that
Whenever possible during the first few weeks after surgery, you should periodically elevate your leg to help reduce the swelling. It is normal to have swelling for the first 3 to 6 months after surgery.
Most patients may shower when they get home. We recommend your wear a waterproof dressing and avoid getting your wound wet.
Following your surgery, you may feel pain or discomfort for the first few weeks at home and you should take your prescribed pain control medication as required. Typically, we also recommend Panadol Osteo.
Swelling in your leg usually slowly reduces over the first few weeks following surgery. The surgical incision should be dry, but there may be occasional slight spotty bleeding along the wound. A light dressing may cover the incision. Icing the wound for 20 to 30 minutes a few times a day during the first few weeks after surgery will help reduce pain and swelling.
If you notice increased swelling, redness, or wound bleeding, you should call Dr Khoury’s team or the After-Hours number.
The presence of new-onset calf pain, chest pain or shortness of breath can be a sign of a possible blood clot. Please arrange see your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms or contact our rooms.
Dr Khoury recommends that you follow your physiotherapy program and generally avoid strenuous activities that may irritate you typically for first six weeks following surgery.
The goal is to restore your motion and improve your strength. Progressively walking longer distances each day is helpful.
Post Surgery Appointments -
10 - 14 days post-surgery you will need to have your wound reviewed and any staples/ sutures removed. Dr. Khoury’s rooms provide this service as part of our aftercare with our private nurse.
However, if you live further away and would like to arrange this with a GP closer to home - you are welcome to.
Please let our team know and we will arrange to send any post-operative care instructions to your GP to assist them.
Your 6-week post-surgery appointment with Dr. Khoury - will be in our rooms.
Please also remember that there is no driving for 6 weeks until you have been reviewed by Dr. Khoury.