Orthopaedic instruments, extremity surgery, biologic products

Reva's corner:
Keep using the exercises your doctor gave you or those that we recommended before your surgery.

Post-Surgery
Recovery begins immediately after hip resurfacing surgery. At first you will need a walker or crutches (depending on your condition). Usually, you will return to the doctor 10 days to two weeks after surgery to have the sutures or staples removed. After 6 weeks of your surgery, you will have another visit with your surgeon for x-rays to check on the hip's healing. As early as 6 weeks, your doctor may allow you to start to walk without your walker or crutches, climb stairs, and even ride a stationary bicycle for exercise. But the successful recovery of your hip is dependent mainly on how committed you are to your required physical therapy program and strengthening exercises.

Reva's corner:
Some patients have less pain than they had before surgery, so do not even have to use any or very little pain medication.

There are a number of things to watch for after any form of surgery. Call your doctor if you notice any drainage or foul odor from your incision, or if your temperature rises to over 101 degrees. Your doctor should also be notified of any increased tenderness, redness, or swelling. The incision can be cleaned once a day with regular soap and water, and then dried carefully. If redness or drainage from the wound, or a sudden increase in pain that does not stop is noted, notify your physician immediately.

Reva's corner:
With Wright’s CONSERVE® PLUS total hip, your doctor will typically NOT give the same hip precautions as if you had received a standard total hip, such as:
- DON’T bend over at the waist
- DON’T cross your operated leg over your other leg. Always keep you thighs apart
- DON’T turn your operated leg inward (pigeon-toe)

These are only some of the many advantages of total hip resurfacing over standard total hip replacement.

Major surgery, like hip joint resurfacing, requires a period of adjustment. Take it easy during this time. Try to focus on the healing process in gradual, practical improvements to your general condition. Remember, your muscles are weak. Now is the time to get your strength back. It is important to exercise your unoperated leg and upper body after surgery, before you start your physical therapy on your operated leg, to reduce swelling. Elevate your legs above your heart whenever you are at rest

Post-Surgery
Managing Pain - You may have postoperative discomfort from the operation (remember, even a paper cut hurts) You may receive oral or IV medication, or you may have a patient controlled analgesia (PCA) machine. This machine lets you push a button to give yourself a measured dose of pain medication. Tell your nurse if the medications do not reduce pain or if you suddenly feel worse.

Click here for a list of online patient discussion groups on hip surgery.