Managing At Home After Discharge

This section will remind you of the correct ways to manage the most common day-to-day activities.

During the first few days after your discharge you should contact the ward for advice immediately if you have any of the following:

• Increased pain, leakage or redness at your wound site

• Increased swelling in your leg

• Shortness of breath.

If you develop any signs of infection (increased pain, swelling, redness or heat) in or around your wound please contact the helpline immediately, in order to arrange an urgent outpatient appointment.

If you have any questions or are worried about anything else, please do not hesitate to contact the ward.

Sitting and standing

It is important to use a chair, which is firm and at the correct height (so your hips do not bend more than 90°). The Occupational Therapist will have discussed this with you either on your pre-admission home assessment or on the ward.

A. Keep your operated leg a little in front of you.

B. Lower yourself down onto the edge of the seat using your arms, keeping your operated leg out in
B. front.

C. As your pain decreases over the weeks after your operation you should aim to bring your
C. operated leg back in line with your other leg as you sit/stand.

To stand up it is the reverse of sitting down i.e.

• Straighten your operated leg

• Move to the front of the seat

• Stand straight up by pushing on the arms of the chair.

Reminder

While sitting, do not bend forward to reach items on the floor - use the helping hand (grabber) provided. Also while sitting, avoid twisting around to the operated side.

The Occupational Therapist will have checked the suitability of the height of your bed at home. You will have been advised on which side of the bed to get in and out of, either on your home assessment or on the ward.

A. Sit on the edge of the bed fairly close to the pillow.

B. Using your hands push yourself back on to the bed until your legs are supported on the mattress.

C. Move your legs one at a time until you reach a straight position in bed. Remember to place a pillow

C. or rolled blanket between your legs to keep your operated leg out to the side.

D. To ease yourself back into the bed use your nonoperated leg to push yourself up the bed.

To get out of bed

To get out of bed is the reverse of getting into bed. Remember not to twist your leg or bring your operated leg across the middle of your body.

0 - 6 Weeks

You have to sleep on your back for six weeks after your operation use a pillow or blanket as a wedge between your legs.

6 - 12 Weeks

After six weeks you may sleep on your operated side (if comfortable) with a pillow between your knees. Seek advice from your physiotherapist on the correct way of rolling onto your side.

After 12 Weeks

After 12 weeks you may sleep on your unoperated side but we advise you to continue sleeping with a pillow between your knees.

0 - 12 Weeks

We advise you to use your dressing aids to complete personal care activities as shown by the Occupational Therapist.

On discharge, we advise you to have a strip wash or use a cubicle shower. Do not get into the bath to bathe or step over to use a shower. Seek advice from the Occupational Therapist who will advise you on your individual needs.

After 12 Weeks

If your consultant says you are allowed to have a bath after this time you may choose to do so. This is based on your individual needs and ability.

Reminder

We advise you to have someone with you on your first attempt.

• Use a non-slip bath mat

• Do not over bend or twist too much

• If you have any doubts do not get into the bath and contact the Occupational Therapist who will
• advise you further.

Walking up stairs with a hand rail

A. Stand to the stairs. Hold onto the handrail with one hand and crutch/crutches with the other hand.

B. First take a step up with your healthy leg.

C. Then take a step up with your affected leg. Bring your crutches up on to the step. Always go one
C. step at a time.

Walking down stairs with a hand rail

A. Stand close to the stairs. Hold onto the handrail with one hand and the crutch/crutches with the
A. other hand.

B. First put your crutch one step down. Then take a step with your affected leg.

C. Then take a step down with your healthy leg, onto the same step as your affected leg. Always go
C. one step at a time.

Walking up stairs without a hand rail

A. Stand close to the stairs with the crutches.

B. First take a step up with your healthy leg.

C. Then take a step up with your affected leg. Bring your crutches up on to the step. Always go one
C. step at a time.

Walking down stairs without a hand rail

A. Stand with crutches/sticks close to the stairs.

B. First put your crutches one step down. Then take a step down with your affected leg.

C. Then take a step down with your healthy leg onto the same step as your affected leg. Always go
C. one step at a time.

Getting in and out of a car

In   • Get into the car from a drive or road, • not from the pavement, as this • would lower the seat height • The seat should be pushed as far • back as possible and the backrest • slightly reclined. This will have to be • done by another person • Use a cushion to raise or level the • seat • A plastic bag on the cushion may • make it easier to swing round • Keep your operated leg straight • out in front of you, holding onto the • car; lower your bottom onto the seat • Slide your bottom back towards the • driver’s seat • Turn carefully and slide legs into the • car one at a time • You may need someone to guide • your operated leg in

Out   The reverse of getting into the car see left.

Driving

It is at your consultant’s discretion when you can begin driving (a rough guide is 6 - 12 weeks) even if it is an automatic car. Your physiotherapist will advise you. Before you do drive, you must contact your motor insurance company and inform them that you have had a total hip replacement. Failure to do so may render your policy invalid.