The dressing that is normally used is a sterile dressing (Sylke) that is designed to stay on until the first postoperative visit. The dressing may remain in place for 3-4 weeks. It is a cloth-like dressing just on the surface of your skin. Initially, there will be a dressing of gauze and tape that can be removed on the day after surgery. Please leave the underlying Sylke dressing in place. You can shower the day after surgery with the Sylke dressing but no baths or swimming for 4 weeks after the surgery (assuming appropriate wound healing). Wound drainage is rare. A small amount of blood on the Sylke dressing is acceptable and would not require an early dressing removal. If the dressing becomes saturated before your office visit, please call the office for additional instructions. 

If you go home with a Prevena incisional VAC dressing, that dressing is removed after 7 days. You cannot shower with this dressing due to the battery; sponge baths will have to be done instead.  This dressing may be removed at home, but patients often prefer to come to the office to have it removed. One week after surgery (or sooner if the battery dies), turn off the battery pack and slowly peel off the dressing. Then place a clean dressing of gauze and tape or a standard island dressing from the pharmacy. Change the dressing every 1-2 days thereafter. If you would prefer to come to the office for the dressing change, please call to schedule an appointment.

The dressing that is normally used is a sterile dressing (Prineo) that is designed to stay on until the first postoperative visit. It is a translucent dressing just on the surface of your skin. Initially, there will be a dressing of gauze and tape that can be removed on the day after surgery. Please leave the underlying Prineo dressing in place. You can shower the day after surgery with the Prineo dressing but no baths or swimming for 4 weeks after the surgery (assuming appropriate wound healing). Wound drainage is rare. A small amount of blood on the Prineo dressing is acceptable and would not require an early dressing removal. If the dressing becomes saturated before your office visit, please call the office for additional instructions. 

If you go home from North Carolina Specialty Hospital with a PICO dressing, that dressing is usually removed at your first postoperative visit. You cannot shower with this dressing due to the battery; sponge baths will have to be done instead.  If the battery dies before the first postoperative visit, you may remove the dressing at home and place a clean dressing of gauze and tape or an island dressing (e.g., Primapore).

Pain after hip replacement surgery is expected. The pain is often of a different quality than the pain that you experienced before surgery. The pain should gradually improve on a weekly basis over the course of the first 4-6 weeks. It is not uncommon to have mild pain or stiffness with certain activities for a longer period of time. The aches and pains associated with surgery tend to gradually improve and resolve over the course of 9-12 months after surgery.

You will be prescribed several different medications after surgery in order to affect the pain in different ways. The goal of the pain management regimen is to maintain tolerable pain control for the first few weeks. It is not reasonable to expect to be pain-free after surgery as the pain is a part of the healing process after surgery. The expectation that it is normal to have pain after surgery is important, and it is also important to expect that the pain will be controlled by the medication, ice, and rest. Please take the medication as prescribed. The stronger medications are prescribed for “as needed” use, and you do not need to take them if you are comfortable. Conversely, do not feel that you need to hold off on taking medications in order to make them last longer; medications will be refilled for an appropriate time frame after surgery.

Ice the hip several times per day for 20-30 minutes at a time, especially for the first 1-2 weeks after surgery. If you feel the pain in the hip increasing, it is usually helpful to get up and walk around for a bit. The change in position and activity will help relieve the pain. If your pain is increasing and it is not improving with medication or activity or if you are unable to bear weight on your leg due to the pain, please contact the office. If your pain is increasing and is not improving or if you are unable to bear weight on your leg due to the pain, please contact the office.

There is a standard regimen of medications used postoperatively. This regimen may be adjusted based on an individual’s medical history, previous medication use, and allergies. For a chart with a suggested schedule for medications, please click HERE.

After surgery, unless otherwise directed, you may bear weight as tolerated. You should initially use a walker or crutches to aid in walking, and you may progress to using a cane as you become more comfortable. Usually, this transition happens over the first 1-2 weeks after surgery. Falling is a main cause of complications after surgery, so using something to help you walk is essential early on. Walking unassisted by week 3 is a reasonable goal. Your physical therapist will help guide you in this decision.

Routine hip replacements do not require hip precautions which limit range of motion after surgery. You are permitted all functional movements to tolerance after surgery. With that said, you should not try to put your hip in a position of discomfort for the first several weeks. You may sit in a chair of comfortable height, and you may bend over to pick things off the floor. You may cross your leg in a chair to put on your sock or shoe. You do not require an elevated toilet seat or chair. You are allowed to side-sleep, but you may feel more comfortable with a pillow between your legs.

Limiting strenuous activity in the early postoperative period is helpful to allow the tissues around the hip to recover and begin to heal. It takes 6 weeks for sufficient bone ingrowth of the replacement components to occur, and excessive activity can potentially inhibit this process.

Swelling after hip replacement is expected, both at the surgery site and in your legs. Wearing compression shorts for the first 4 weeks after surgery can be helpful to reduce the swelling at the hip. These shorts can be purchased online and at most sporting goods stores. The shorts should be snug, but not tight.

Wearing compression stockings (or TED hose) is required during the day for the first 3 weeks after surgery. Please obtain knee-high compression stockings either from the drugstore or from the internet (Edema Wear compression sleeves at www.edemawear.com are a good choice). The stockings can be removed for showers and when you go to sleep at night.

Starting the day after surgery, you may begin to work on the postoperative exercises. The best exercise that you can do is walking. Limit your steps initially and gradually increase your walking as you feel more comfortable. If you start working with physical therapy, you should limit aggressive range of motion exercises for the first 4-6 weeks.

Find recommended postoperative exercises HERE.

Returning to driving after hip replacement is largely dependent on which hip was replaced. You can return to driving as soon as you can comfortably sit in a vehicle, can walk with a cane, are not on narcotics, and feel that you can competently and safely drive. Driving after a left hip replacement can often occur 2-3 weeks after surgery. Driving after a right hip replacement often takes more time, usually taking 3-6 weeks after surgery before it can be done safely. You have to be able to stand on the brake pedal to stop in an emergency situation. Driving under the influence of narcotic pain medication is strictly prohibited. Please practice driving in an empty parking lot prior to returning to busy streets.