What to expect when you have your operation
At your initial meeting
You will spend time with your surgeon who will talk with you, examine your hip and explain the treatment options, answering any questions you have. Usually you will subsequently be invited to the hospital of your choice for a pre-operative assessment about a week prior to your date of surgery. Here you will have a chance to meet the staff and look around the facility if you wish. Routine tests that are required prior to your surgery will be carried out and you will meet the therapists who will be involved with your treatment. Every step of your treatment plan will be explained to you. If you are travelling a long distance for your hip replacement this can all be organised on the day before your planned procedure.
When you come in to hospital
You will usually be admitted on the day of your operation. Your surgeon and the anaesthetist will meet you and answer any last minute questions you have about the anaesthetic or the operation. Your leg will be marked on the correct side for your hip replacement. You will be encouraged to drink clear fluids up to two hours before your operation.
After the operation you will first become aware of your surroundings in the recovery area of the operating theatre. You should not be in any pain and your leg will normally still be completely numb as a result of the anaesthetic. You will be given painkillers regularly throughout your hospital stay. It is our aim to keep you as comfortable as possible and there should be no point at which you are in significant discomfort. Please call the nursing staff if you begin to feel uncomfortable.
After your surgery
The therapists aim to stand you up and thereby start the recovery process on the day of surgery in most cases. This helps keep the circulatory system and other body systems working and greatly helps in accelerating your safe recovery. You will be seen by the physiotherapist several times a day. Prior to discharge you will be dressing yourself and walking without the aid of the staff. You will be able to ascend and descend stairs. You will be encouraged to take your full weight through the limb. It is usual to go home on the third or fourth post-operative day, although transfer for further rehabilitation may be an option if you wish. The physiotherapists will have given you all the information you require to increase your activities at home and it is not normal to require further out-patient physiotherapy.
Next appointment
You will normally be seen by the surgeon about six weeks after your surgery. At that point he will advise you to resume all normal activities.
The final result of your surgery
Most patients who have an Exeter hip replacement are unaware, day-to day, that they have a hip replacement in place.
