Preparing Proactively for Recovery
You may be nervous about getting a new hip. It is natural to feel some anxiety regarding your hip surgery. But the better prepared you are before surgery, the easier your recovery program (rehabilitation or rehab) is likely to be.
Your doctor may want you to meet the Physical Therapist (PT) even before the surgery. The PT may give you some tips on preparing your house for rehabilitation and how you should sleep, get out of bed, sit, stand, and walk following surgery. In addition, here are a few simple ideas:
- Rearrange furniture: Rearrange your furniture to create wide traffic paths and remove obstacles. Make it as easy and safe as possible to move around your home during your recovery.
- Buy a firm pillow: Putting a firm pillow on a low chair or sofa before sitting down may help reduce discomfort.
- Remove electrical cords: Remove, hide, or tape the electrical cords to the floor to avoid tripping over them.
- Have an armchair available: During rehabilitation, you may be told to only sit in armchairs as you will need the arms to help you sit downand get up.
- Elevated toilet seat: Arrange to have an elevated toilet seat and / or support bars fitted in your bathroom.
- Pack up the throw rugs: Rugs can shift or bunch, causing you to slip or trip. Don't take chances - remove them before your surgery.
- Stock up on food: It's a good idea to stock up on canned or frozen foods. To avoid bending over or using a stool or stepladder, store all supplies between waist and shoulder level for easy access.
- Prepare a bed downstairs: If your bedroom is upstairs or in the basement, prepare a bed on the ground floor of your home to use temporarily upon your return from the hospital.
- Get help with household chores: For the first few weeks following your surgery, you'll need some help with typical household chores like cooking, cleaning, shopping, bathing, and doing laundry. If you don't have a spouse, relative or friend who can help with these essential tasks, your healthcare team can assist you in making arrangements (in advance) for someone to help you around the home. As an alternative, you can also arrange a short stay at an extended care rehab facility while you recover.
In addition to preparing your home, it is important to be as "fit" and strong as possible before undergoing the CONSERVE® PLUS Total Resurfacing Hip procedure. Strengthening the muscles around your hip and in your legs and arms will help to make recovery progress faster. Talk with your doctor or PT about exercises you can do to prepare for your surgery. Also make sure there are no active infections within your body and stop smoking.
For additional information on the CONSERVE® PLUS Total Resurfacing Hip System, please review the patient information brochure.
