How long do you need someone to stay with you after hip replacement?

You will need someone to help you for several days to several weeks. The AAOS reports that most people will be able to resume most light activities of daily living independently within 3 to 6 weeks. Let's take a closer look at the general timeline for recovery after hip replacement surgery.

How long do I need someone with me after hip replacement?

After you're discharged from hospital, you may be eligible for up to 6 weeks of home help and there may be aids that can help you. You may also want to arrange to have someone to help you for a week or so.

Can you stay alone after hip surgery?

Most patients, even if they live alone, can safely go directly home from the hospital after hip or knee replacement surgery, according to a recent study.

Will I need a caregiver after hip surgery?

Healing from surgery, especially joint replacement surgeries of the hip and knee, can require special attention from a caregiver. Care giving work can be hard. The hours are odd, physical strength is required, and then there is the whole waiting on another person part.

How do you care for someone after a hip replacement?

Swelling: There will likely be swelling after the surgery; help reduce it by elevating your loved one's leg slightly and applying ice. Weight bearing: Someone recovering from hip surgery should use a walker or other assistive device until their balance, flexibility, and strength improve.

The first 6 weeks after Hip Surgery: Rapid Recovery Hip Replacement

Can you drive 2 weeks after hip surgery?

Some patients may drive as soon as 2 weeks after surgery¹, while others may need as long as 8 weeks. Importantly, drivers must not be taking any pain medications that impair driving skills—this is unsafe and illegal. In addition, reflexes and muscle strength should have returned to their pre-surgical levels.

Can you live a normal life after hip replacement?

Around three months after your hip operation, most things will go back to normal, and the pain goes away for most people. You need to look out for signs of complications and continue being careful with how you move your hip. After 6 to 12 months, the recovery is considered complete.

How do I prepare my home for hip surgery?

You may need a raised toilet seat or commode. Move items you use a lot in the bathroom to tabletop-height surfaces or to middle shelves. Consider putting grab bars in the bathtub, shower or both. Also consider other key areas for grab bars such as by the toilet.

Do you need someone to stay with you after surgery?

If you don't stay overnight, you will need someone to take you home because you won't be able to drive or take public transportation by yourself. It's best to have someone with you for at least the first 24 hours after general anesthesia.

Can you leave someone alone after surgery?

Do I need to have someone with me when I leave? If you had "outpatient" surgery, which means you don't stay overnight in a hospital, you won't be allowed to leave on your own. Your doctor will ask you to have a friend or family member drive you home and stay with you until the next day.

What to do if you have no one to take care of you after surgery?

Can you go home same day after hip replacement?

Same-day surgeries, also called outpatient surgery, are when a patient safely leaves the hospital to recover at home the same day as the surgery. About one-third to one-half of my patients with a knee or hip replacement surgeries can go home the same day as their procedures.

How long do you need supervision after surgery?

Your judgment will be impaired. You must be under direct supervision for the first 6 hours after you receive general anesthesia or IV sedation. It is normal to feel tired, forgetful, and groggy. The following instructions are designed to help you during your recovery period.

How long is someone in recovery room after surgery?

You will spend 45 minutes to 2 hours in a recovery room where nurses will watch you closely. You may stay longer depending on your surgery and how fast you wake up from the anesthesia. Your nurse will watch all of your vital signs and help you if you have any side effects.

Why does someone have to stay with you for 24 hours after anesthesia?

Patients who undergo outpatient surgery must have someone to drive them home and stay with them for 24 hours following surgery. The medications you received during your surgery may affect your memory and mental judgment for the next 24 hours.

What is needed at home after hip surgery?

A cane, crutches, or a walker. A reacher to help you pick up things from the floor, put on your pants, and take off your socks. A sock aid to help you put on your socks. Handle bars in the bathroom to allow you to steady yourself.

Can you sit on a couch after hip surgery?

Sit in a firm, straight-back chair with arm rests. Do not sit on soft chairs, rocking chairs, sofas, or stools.

Can I sleep on a couch after hip replacement?

Couches and low recliners aren't very friendly to healing hips, because standing up after sitting on them can be difficult to do. You will want to avoid low beds, low chairs, low couches, etc., and be sure to purchase a raised toilet seat to utilize during this period.

How far should I be walking 2 weeks after hip replacement?

This can happen when patients do too much walking and stress the implants prior to the ingrowth process. Generally, I advise patients to walk only a few hundred yards a day total until they get to around six weeks.

Can I go back to work 2 weeks after hip replacement?

Work. If you have a desk job with minimal activity, you can return to work in about two weeks. If your job requires heavy lifting or is otherwise tough on the hips, it is recommended to take off about six weeks to recover.

How painful is hip replacement surgery?

You can expect to experience some discomfort in the hip region itself, as well as groin pain and thigh pain. This is normal as your body adjusts to changes made to joints in that area. There can also be pain in the thigh and knee that is typically associated with a change in the length of your leg.

When can you put full weight on leg after hip replacement?

Instructions after first postop visit (6-8 weeks after surgery): You should now be comfortable in walking with a cane or nothing at all, placing full weight on the operated leg. At this point, if you haven't already done so, you may wean to using 1 crutch or cane in the opposite hand/arm.

How long after hip replacement can I walk up stairs?

Most patients must limit hip motion for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. They must not flex the hip more than 60 to 90 degrees which complicates normal activities like sitting, putting on shoes or getting into a car. Climbing stairs may also be difficult during recovery.

What can you do at home after surgery?

You won't need much movement or exercise when recovering from your surgical procedure. Simply make sure that you're following the instructions given by your medical team, whether it's your doctor, nurse, or in-home care provider. Just a little bit of exercise can do wonders for your recovery so don't miss out.

Why do you have to be at the hospital 2 hours before surgery?

On the day of surgery, you may be asked to arrive several hours before your procedure is scheduled to begin. This allows the staff to complete any tests that cannot be performed until the day of surgery.