Patients are usually made to walk on second day after operation; physiotherapist will be there to assist you. At the time of discharge you will be able to walk to toilet or bathroom on your own with the help of walker or cane. The ambulation may be delayed or the weight bearing may be restricted in case of poor bone quality.
The implant is a special highly polished alloy (Cobalt-Chrome) or ceramic head on femoral component articulating with high quality polyethylene.
In case you are getting one hip operated you will stay in the hospital for five days after surgery. In case, both the hips are operated together, duration of stay is for seven days after surgery.
As discussed above, you will be able to walk to toilet or bathroom on your own at the time of discharge, but, if you are staying alone, you should have someone around for a month after surgery to assist you in daily activities.
You can start driving after two months of surgery depending on the muscle strength and comfort.
Traveling in the city for short duration may be started after 2 – 3 weeks. Going out of city may be done approximately after a month. Overseas travel should ideally be undertaken 3 months after surgery.
- not to sit cross legged, squat or use an Indian toilet or a low chair.
- Avoid impact sports like jogging, jumping, badminton etc
- Antibiotic prophylaxis before any dental, gynaecological or urinary procedure.
- Specific precautions to prevent dislocation of hip are available as separate documents.Click Here
You will be guided in your exercises by our team of physiotherapist during your stay in the hospital. After discharge you will need to continue with some easy exercises that you can do on your own. This may be required for a period of 6 – 8 weeks or till the time you are comfortable with your walking. Physiotherapist assistance after discharge may be required for 2 weeks.
Thin patients are easy for us to operate and postoperative recovery is also good. But, losing weight and maintaining weight loss can be difficult in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, since their symptoms often limit the amount and type of exercise in which they can participate.
Life of the artificial joint depends on number of variables, including the type of activities you are engaged, quality of bone, whether you are overweight etc. Normally these joints have a finite lifespan of 15 – 20 years.
