After Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement surgery takes an average of 1.5 – 2 hours. Hospitalization takes place the day before or on the morning of surgery. Epidural anesthesia is recommended to prevent patients from experiencing pain and discomfort after surgery. Thus, patients go through the post-operative period comfortably.

Walking After Hip Replacement Surgery

The walking process after hip replacement surgery is quite fast. Patients with hip prosthesis stay in the hospital for an average of 4-5 days. The walking stages in this process are as follows:

• 1 day: On the first day after surgery, it is important for patients to rest. However, patients are expected to take a few steps. The patient takes a few steps on the first day after the surgery, accompanied by a physiotherapist.
• 2 days: Patients can take short walks on the second day.
• 3 days: On the third day after surgery, patients can walk easily.
• 4 days: Starting from the 4th day, patients can climb stairs and go to the toilet alone.
• 5 days: After a general check-up, patients are discharged. Discharged patients can go home on foot without any support.

Wound Care After Hip Replacement Surgery

After hip replacement surgery, the first wound care is performed on the 15th day. The patients' wound area is cleaned and their compression stockings are removed. Patients do not need to dress themselves for wound care. The wounds continue to heal quickly after the dressing is applied on the 15th day after the surgery. Since subcutaneous stitches are usually performed in hip replacement surgeries, there is no need to remove the stitches for wound care.

Drug Use After Hip Replacement Surgery

After surgery, patients are given blood thinners. To accelerate tissue healing, blood thinners should be used for a month. At the same time, compression socks should be worn for 15 days.

Bathing After Hip Replacement

The wounds of the patients are checked on the 15th day after the surgery. After the compression stockings and bandages are removed, patients can start bathing.