Recover Questions
& Answers

As early as 2 weeks, depending on recovery.

Gradual return, 3-6 weeks for sitting/desk job.

Waterproof dressing is applied allowing for next-day shower.

Out with the old, in with the new ball and socket! All arthritis, bone spurs and torn labrum are removed to make room for the new hip.

Intraoperative live x-ray, preoperative templating and stability assessments allow for proper sizing.

One to two hours.

General with local hip blocks.

Heart attack, stroke, death, infection, blood clots, chronic pain, dislocation, leg length discrepancy, other.

Medication will be called to your pharmacy to be taken as needed for pain. Take a stool softener to limit constipation while taking pain meds.

It is possible from hip replacements to continue to do well after 30 years.

Same-day surgery or hospital overnight stay (one or two nights) options are available.

Stay at home for 2 weeks where you’ll be visited by the home health team of nurses and physical therapists for health checks and rehabilitation.

Therapy begins the same day as surgery, followed by home physical therapy for two weeks, then transition to outpatient physical therapy (you going to a physical therapy location) and continues for 2 months.

Your final range of motion will be determined by the amount of your effective effort and therapy.  Want great motion in your new hip? Go get it!

Motion is the key!  Moving ankle up and down while resting starting the day of surgery will help circulation.  Aspirin or Xarelto for 3 weeks depending on your risk profile.  Compression socks worn for two weeks.

Your wound will be closed with plastic surgery techniques.  No staple gun!  We use absorbable sutures, sealed with glue to create a watertight seal to minimize infection.

Lotions, scar creams, Vit E can be applied to the wound 6 weeks after surgery.

6 weeks if the wound heals uneventfully.

Keep moving!  We want you in the best shape possible.  Low-impact exercise including elliptical, exercise bike, walking or swimming in a pool will help.  Also, keeping your weight close to your ideal body weight will help in your recovery.

Mild occasional discomfort and tendonitis may continue 6 months to one year following your new hip surgery.

Hip replacement may disturb sleep due to stiffness and soreness on and off for the first 3-6 months.  Limiting daytime naps, being active and over the counter sleep aids may assist in getting a good night’s sleep.

It’s possible your new hip may be detected.  Tell the TSA agent you have a hip replacement and they may use a wand to confirm.

Current guidelines show no increased risk of infection, so no antibiotics are recommended.

• The Taperloc stem is Titanium Alloy Ti-6AL-4V with Porous Plasma Spray coating on press-fit areas (proximal area)
• The femoral head is either CoCr or Ceramic (depending on use)
• The G7 acetabular cup is titanium with Porous Plasma Spray Coating or OsseoTi Porous Structure backing (depending on use)
• Liner is highly-cross linked polyethylene