TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT
INTRODUCTION
These instructions were designed to provide you with information about your upcoming hip
replacement. It contains important instructions for you to follow before the surgery, after the
surgery while in the hospital, and after the surgery while at home.
Hip replacement surgery requires the participation of the patient as well as the medical team. To
ensure a long-lasting successful result, all the guidelines reviewed in this booklet need to be
followed.
The joint replacement program at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland has been carefully developed in
the sincere hope that your new prosthetic joint will offer you long-lasting pain relief and
improved mobility. By the time you return home, you will be familiar with precautions and
exercises which protect your new hip and encourage stability and healing. Your surgeon,
physical therapists, and nurses will instruct and assist you in learning these precautions and
exercises.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Joint replacements can become infected at any time after the surgery – from the first
postoperative day to many years down the line. You can take the following steps to help prevent
infection:

Take antibiotics before dental procedures

See your primary doctor right away for any suspected urinary tract infections.

Look for signs of infection in the hip including increasing pain, redness,
or swelling.
Your new joint replacement may trigger airport metal detectors.
Keep in mind that your new hip replacement is a mechanical device. While normal walking is
never a problem, running or jumping puts an abnormal amount of stress on the hip replacement
and can cause loosening.
BEFORE SURGERY

Stop all aspirin and/or anti-inflammatory medications like Motrin, Advil, Indocin,
Feldene, Naprosyn, and Clinoril two weeks before surgery. Use Tylenol as your only pain
medication.

If you are taking any blood thinners like Coumadin or Persantine, speak to your medical
doctor about their use before surgery.

Continue to take all of your regular medications like pills for your high blood pressure,
your heart, or your diabetes.

Take a shower the morning of surgery and soap the affected hip well.

Report any serious upper respiratory illness or any infection (urinary and tooth
especially) to your doctor if they are present in the two weeks prior to surgery.

Be sure to arrange for added assistance at home when you are discharged from the
hospital.

Donate one or two units of blood to the Blood Bank if your doctor feels you are
medically able to do this.

Do not drink or eat anything after midnight the night before surgery. Your surgeon or
anesthesiologist may instruct you to take some of your regular medications with a sip of
water on the morning of surgery.

Remove the following: makeup, nail polish, hairpins, jewelry (wedding rings may be
taped to the finger), hairpieces. Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids will have to
be removed just prior to surgery.

You will be admitted to the hospital on the day of surgery. Your clothes and toiletries you
pack will be kept for you by the hospital staff. Please leave any valuables with a relative
or friend.
AFTER SURGERY

You will be mostly in bed for the first 24 hours. You will be out of bed and into a chair
on the first day after surgery.

There will be tubes in the hip that drain excess blood.

There will probably be a catheter in your bladder.

You may require a blood transfusion. Your own blood will be given if you have donated
some.

Medications to expect:
a. The regular medications you took prior to surgery, except for
anti-inflammatory medications
b. A blood thinner.
c. Intravenous antibiotics for the first 48 hours.
d. Pain medication – Usually given through an epidural (back) catheter,
or by mouth.

Blood samples will be drawn from you daily so your surgeon can determine if you need a
blood transfusion or any adjustment in your medications.

Use the special breathing machine and breathing exercise to clear your lungs to prevent
pneumonia.

Wear compression stockings at all times. You may also be asked to wear special
pneumatic boots that constantly squeeze your calves to pump blood towards your heart.

Do bedside exercises as directed by the physical therapist.

Physical therapy will start early in your hospital stay. When you have satisfactorily met
the goals of therapy as defined by your doctor, you will be able to go home.

You will need to use a walker, crutches, or a cane for approximately six weeks.
AT HOME AFTER SURGERY

Follow all instructions of the physical therapist. You will be given information
concerning exercises and precautions.

No shower or bath for two weeks; sponge bathe only; keep the dressing dry.

Do not drive for six weeks.

Do not plan airplane travel for at least two months.

Do not have a dental cleaning for 3-6 months after surgery.

You may walk unlimited distances following the weight-bearing instructions given by
your surgeon.

You will be given a prescription for pain pills to take by mouth as needed.

Call the office nurse for refills before you are out of pills.

Wear the compression stockings for one month after surgery. The stockings should not
pinch or constrict any part of your leg

The staples will be removed by the physical therapist who comes to your home or by the
nurses in the skilled nursing facility.