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Prepare Yourself Hip replacement surgery is a very beneficial surgery that adds quality to patients’ lives. However, it is a major operation involving a lot of rehabilitation. You need to mentally and physically prepare yourself to have the best outcome. Research has shown that patients who seek information, and know what to expect and how to help themselves, do the best! You have already started this by using this website. Preparing yourself involves, eating healthy, stopping smoking, getting physically fit, learning about pain management, and having a positive attitude. Eating Healthy
Physical Fitness
Be cautious, do not overdo it. Use your medication before exercise; however, if pain persists for 2 hours afterwards, you are doing too much. If you are arthritic, contact the Arthritis Society as they sometimes have talks in our community on bone health, exercise, pain management etc. You will be “working out” after your operation on our orthopaedic unit. The mobilizing LPNs or RNs will assist you. You will be up the next day or evening of your operation. Be mentally ready to accept the challenge of the retraining that will take place while you are in the hospital. You are in the drivers seat and will need to help yourself. You need to participate not only while in hospital but after discharge too. We’ll teach you special exercises once you are here. We have ice and medication for pain. The first 3 days are the most challenging but with a positive attitude, determination, proper pain management and rest periods, you will get through and be rewarded in the long run! Quit Smoking
Pain Management There are 2 main types of pain after your surgery. They are bone pain and incisional (soft tissue) pain. The soft tissue pain is controlled with ice for 15 minutes 2-3 times day for the first few days post op. The bone pain is controlled by taking scheduled Tylenol prescribed by the surgeon, around the clock even at night. On top of the Tylenol, there are other pain medications taken as you need them. You need to ask for medication and it is a good idea to have it before your exercise. Each patient is different and the doctor will prescribe what is right for you. The goal is that you will be in less pain as you heal and therefore you will require less and less over time. Some patients will come back from the operating room with a PCA pump. There is more info on this in the “During the Hospital Stay” section on this website. |
Prepare for your surgery by building up your iron in your blood. Hemoglobin
carries oxygen to the tissues to help the healing process. A low hemoglobin
can contribute to fatigue, shortness of breath or needing a blood transfusion.
Eat plenty of meat, fish, poultry, liver, canned oyster or clams and green
leafy vegetables. Vitamin C helps your body use certain iron so eat oranges,
citrus juices, tomatoes, strawberries, and peppers. Folate and vitamin B12
are found in the above foods and also in dried peas, beans, grains as well.
Calcium is required for bone healing and it is recommended that you
eat approximately 1200 mg/day. It is found in milk, yogurt, cheese, salmon,
sardines and oranges. Some people take calcium supplements purchased
over the counter at your local drugstore. Ask for a recommendation from
your family doctor or surgeon . Protein is also found in meat, milk,
nuts, peanut butter and eggs. Protein is used in muscle conditioning
that will be doing before and after your operation.
Research has also shown that the healthier the patient before the operation, the
better they do after their operation. Get a head start by exercising ahead of time.
We realize that many of you have restricted movement and that is why you need the
surgery, however, you can build your upper body strength for example. Arm strength
is important to help you get in and out of bed the first few days. There are arm
chair exercise videos, or free weights. Consult your doctor, a local kinesiologist
or physiotherapist for guidance to get you started. There is also walking,
swimming, water aerobics. Call the Aquatic Center or YMCA for more information.
AVOID: exercises that stress the joints such as stair master, stair climbing,
jogging, and hiking.
Smoking has been proven to interfere with the bone healing process. You will also want your
lungs as fit as possible to prepare for anaesthetic. Your nurse will teach
you breathing exercises after your surgery. Also, the hospital is a non smoking environment
and so this is a perfect opportunity to quit! Before your surgery, find out about smoking
cessation classes in your community or call the lung association for more information.
If you are concerned about withdrawl, ask your doctor about a nicotine patch.