No matter the approach, orthopedic surgery does take a lot out of you! Anesthesia, the assault on your body, foreign parts put in, tissue, muscle, nerves need to heal. And every person reacts differently to each surgery. Extra rest is helpful, as is a leg immobilizer block to keep everything aligned as you sleep.

PT should come to your room to help with how to get in and out of bed, up and down from chairs, how and whether to use crutches or a walker for a few days or weeks. Also ask them to show you the safe limits of movement for your surgery and implant.

Get yourself a variety of pillows ready to help make you as comfortable as possible. A shower bench and toilet seat riser are handy the first couple weeks.

If your surgeon doesn't suggest it, in addition to PT showing you the exercises to do at home, I recommend that you insist on an in person PT evaluation of your gait at 4-6 weeks, with additional sessions if they think it is needed. You have probably been favoring the bad hip for a long time, and need to walk properly with the new joint to prevent pain in your back, other hip, knees and feet.

Finally, ICE, Ice, ice... more often and longer than you think is needed. Keeping swelling down helps you heal faster, move better and avoid pain. And take pain meds and/or ibuprofen and Tylenol to stay ahead of the pain the first few weeks for the same reason, and so you can rest.

Good luck! People who plan for their surgery and recovery and take an active role usually do better than those who just let it happen to them.
Sue

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