Hospital Stay

You should be admitted to hospital in good time at-least 2 to 3 days before your operation to allow time for you to settle in. You will be examined by anaesthetist & physician/surgeon checking your heart and chest and other parameters required for you to be considered fit for the surgery. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions before your operation.

You may be put on 24 hrs liquid diet prior to surgery.

On the day of your operation, it is usual that your doctor will ask you not to drink or eat anything. The area around your hip may be shaved to reduce the risk of infection.

An hour or so before the operation you will be given tablets or an injection to relax you. This is known as a ‘pre-med’. You will then be taken into the operating theatre where you will be given your anaesthetic and have your operation.

The operation usually takes 1-2 hours to complete.

Immediately after your operation you will be moved to the recovery room/ post-op for close monitoring. You will have one or two drips in your arm to put fluid back into your body. When you wake up from surgery, your leg may be swollen and bruised and the muscles may be stiff and sore. Your new joint should not cause you any discomfort, but you may experience some pain from the surgical procedure itself. You will be given pain medications to take regularly whilst you are recovering.

When you are fully conscious, breathing well and your blood pressure and pulse are stable, may be 12 hrs / 24 hrs or 48 hrs you will be taken back to your ward. You probably won’t feel much like eating at first, but it is important that you drink. The scar on the side of the hip should eventually fade to a thin white line.

During the next few days the drips will be removed. Your physiotherapist will visit you the day after your operation to commence you on day exercise programme and help you get back on your feet walking again. Your may feel unstable and in pain at first, but you will be given a frame to help you walk with, then crutches or sticks, which you may need for four to six weeks after, depending on your surgeon’s instructions.

Once you, your surgeon and physiotherapist are happy with your condition and mobility you will be discharged from hospital. The usual hospital stay for hip joint replacement is usually 7-10 days or 12 days.