A Patient’s Guide To Total Hip Replacement Surgery
First Day Surgery Unit
(608) 265-8857
1-800-323-8942
Orthopedic Clinic
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
(608) 263-7540
Nights, Weekends, and Holidays
(608) 262-0486
1-800-323-8942
.jpg)
Highland Avenue
Valet parking is free. It is open from 7:00am to 7:00pm. It is located between the clinic and hospital doors.
To go to the First Day Surgery Unit, enter at the hospital entrance. Follow the gray path to the D elevator. Take the D elevator to the 3rd floor and turn left to the First Day Surgery Unit entrance.
To go to the Outpatient Surgery Center, enter at the clinic entrance. Once inside the lobby, it's the 1st door on your left.
To go to the Ambulatory Procedure Center, enter at the hospital entrance. Follow the gray path past the D elevator. Turn left when you see the APC sign.
This is the 2nd floor…
To get to the …
Cafeteria: H4/1 - H elevator to the 1st floor
ECG: G3/452- Take Atrium elevators to the 4th floor behind the cafeteria
Pulmonary Function: E5/520 - E elevator to the 5th floor
Inpatient X-Ray: E3/3 - E elevators to the 3rd floor
Admissions: 2nd floor behind the information desk
|
By law, we need to ask if you would like to complete an advance medical directive (AMD). This is a Power of Attorney (POA) for Health Care or a Living Will. This decision is up to you. A POA allows you to name a health care agent who could speak for you if you were not able to do so. If you choose to complete an AMD, you must be 18 or older and of sound mind. You have the choice to complete the form or not.
If you choose to fill one out, complete it and have it signed and witnessed before coming to surgery. There is not enough time to complete the forms that morning. The two witnesses cannot be family members or UW Hospital staff. Exceptions are chaplains, social workers, and volunteers. The person you name as your health care agent may not be a witness. We suggest you choose a neighbor or friend. If you need help to complete this form or have questions, call our Patient Relations office at (608) 263-8009.
You may wish to have a member of the Spiritual Care Services visit while you are in the hospital. We can arrange it for you or you can call (608) 263-8574.
|
Welcome to University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
Knowing what to expect is part of getting ready for surgery. We hope this booklet helps you.
Within 30 days before your surgery, you will need to have a pre-surgery work-up visit. This visit can take from 2 to 6 hours. During this time you will have a physical exam, meet with a member of the anesthesia team, and talk with other health care staff. The complete exam may be done by your primary doctor or surgeon. This depends on your health status and insurance plan.
The exam may include
- Blood work
- ECG (electrocardiogram)
- X-rays
- Other tests
Your doctor may discuss whether you may donate your own blood in the event you need to be transfused during or after surgery. The doctor will also discuss any medicines to stop before surgery. These may include
- Aspirin, Excedrin®, Ascriptin®, and Ecotrin®
- Plavix®
- Vitamin and herbal supplements
- Coumadin® or warfarin
- Ibuprofen, Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®, Aleve®, naproxen, and naprosyn
If your work-up is done by your primary doctor, please have the doctor’s office FAX the forms to the Orthopedic Clinic at (608) 265-6526 before your work-up day. On the day of your work-up visit, bring any x-ray films or other papers that you received in the Orthopedic Clinic.
Stop at Admissions the day of your clinic visit. If you cannot do this, you may call them. Please call them as soon as you can to get your paper work started. Your family will get one parking pass for the length of your stay. It can be picked up the day of your surgery by your family. Admissions is open 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. The phone number is (608) 263-8770.
You may meet with a Physical Therapist (PT). If you meet with PT, they will teach you exercises found in the back of this booklet. Be sure to practice these exercises 3 times a day before surgery even if you do not meet with PT. You will need to practice using your crutches or walker. Try placing little or no weight on the surgical leg. This will help you prepare for walking after surgery. If you have GHC insurance, you will need to schedule a visit with a GHC physical therapist before your surgery.
You may meet with the social worker to discuss your plans for discharge. Some patients need to go to a rehabilitation facility. Others may go home. You will need to arrange transportation whether you go home or go to rehabilitation. A four-door car works best. We can help you arrange transportation. There may be a cost to you. The cost depends on your insurance. Most people who go home need home health care for PT and blood draws. A nurse case manager or social worker will work with you and your insurance company to arrange this.
You should plan to spend 3 nights in the hospital. After you leave, you will keep working on your rehabilitation and recovery.
Smoking Cessation
We strongly suggest you quit smoking before surgery. Smoking will impair and delay healing time. We also recommend avoiding secondhand smoke. You should talk with your doctor or nurse if you need help to quit. The Smoking Quit Line number is 1-800-QUITNOW (784-8669).
Psychosocial Aspects of Surgery
Your surgery may have an impact on you and your loved ones. The impact may be both mental and physical. Finding out what to expect, what is normal and what is not, provides a chance to adjust to the changes caused by surgery. Patients with strong emotional support tend to recover more quickly. It is important to have someone to talk with about your thoughts and feelings.
Setting goals and having a rehabilitation plan before surgery will give you sense of control. You will be able to measure your progress. Try to focus on positive thoughts. Remind yourself the goal is to improve your movement and quality of life. Our staff is here to support you during this time. If you are having problems coping or need support, please talk with your doctor or nurse.
Planning Ahead
People who have a total hip replacement find it useful to plan ahead and prepare the home before surgery.
To prevent falls at home, watch out for
- Loose throw rugs or carpets.
- Pets that may run in your path.
- Water spills.
- Bare slippery floors.
- Long cords across the floor, such as phone or fan cords.
- Ice on steps and porches, etc.
If you plan to go home and you live alone, you should plan for someone to stay with you for a few days.
You may want to make plans for help with
- Meals.
- Child and pet care.
- Household chores.
- Yard work.
Day before Surgery
A nurse will call you the day before surgery to review your instructions, tell you what time to arrive at the hospital, and where you should go. If your surgery is on a Monday, the nurse will call you the Friday before. If you have questions about how to prepare for surgery, please be sure to ask the nurse when they call.
Before this call, please review details your clinic or anesthesia staff gave you during your clinic visit. If you do not hear from us by 3:00 pm, please call (608) 265-8857. Tell us where you will be staying the night before surgery.
If you have a cold, fever, or illness before surgery, call the Orthopedic Clinic. After hours or on weekends, ask for the doctor on call for the Orthopedic Clinic.
Night before Surgery
1. Do not drink alcohol after 8 pm, the night before surgery. If mixed with anesthesia, it can cause problems.
2. Do not eat solid food after midnight. This includes gum and candy.
3. Do not use tobacco after midnight.
4. Do not drink milk or juice with pulp, after midnight.
5. Stop drinking clear liquids four hours before your surgery.
Clear liquids include
-
Water
-
Popsicles
-
Carbonated beverages
-
Juices without pulp or solid material
-
Coffee or tea without milk or creamer
-
Jello without fruit, and only if it is home-made
-
Clear protein drinks
-
Bouillon cube broth or consommé with no fat
6. If you are taking pills, we will tell you during your clinic visit whether you should take them the day of surgery. If you are instructed to take them, swallow with a small sip of water.
7. If you have diabetes, you will be given details about your insulin or oral pills at your clinic visit.
8. Your doctor may want you to take laxatives to empty stool from your bowel before surgery. You will get details on the bowel preparation at your clinic visit.
9. Shower twice before surgery using the Hibiclens®soap. Use it the night before and the morning of your surgery. You may get this soap during your clinic visit, or you can buy it at your local drug store. First, shower with your own soap. Rinse. Pour the Hibiclens® soap on a damp, clean washcloth or new shower sponge. Wash (do not scrub) the surgical area for 2-3 minutes. Rinse well. Do not use lotions, powder, or perfumes. Do not use Hibiclens® on your face, hair, rectal area, or genitals.
10. Try your best to have a restful night before surgery. If you are coming from out of town, you may want to stay in Madison. The Housing Accommodations Coordinator (608) 263-0315 can provide you with a list of nearby hotels at a discounted rate.
11. Do not wear make-up. Please remove nail polish from at least one finger.
12. The morning of surgery, brush your teeth and rinse, but do not swallow.
13. Please remove and leave all jewelry, body piercings, rings at home. Do not bring large sums of money and credit cards with you. Please bring money for co-payment for any medicines you want filled at the hospital.
14. Bring along inhalers, CPAP, glucose meter, eye glasses, eye drops, hearing aids, dentures, prostheses, and other special equipment that you will need. Be sure these items are labeled and in a case. Please do not bring bottles of pills with you the morning of surgery unless you have been told to do so. You will be asked to leave your glasses, dentures, and hearing aids with your family before you go to surgery.
15. Please bring non-skid slippers or slip-on shoes and a few personal items. You may want to bring loose fitting clothes or pajamas. You may want to bring a book or something to do. TVs are in each room. Bring a calling card or your cell phone if you wish to make long distance calls.
16. You may bring in your laptop. All of the rooms have wireless internet access. Please leave your belongings in the trunk of your car the day you check in (except CPAP and inhalers). Once your room is ready, your family can bring your things to you. The hospital is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
The First Day Surgery (FDS) Unit is open 5:30 am to 6:00 pm. The Main Hospital door is open at all times. Please check in at FDS at your scheduled time. Enter using the Main Hospital Door the day of your surgery. See map on back of front cover.
After you arrive, you will be taken to a room to prepare for surgery. Your family member(s) will be given a pager and directed to a waiting area. A nurse will ask you questions about your health and help you get ready. A member of the anesthesia team will meet with you and answer questions. You will have an IV (intravenous) placed in a vein of your hand or arm. An IV is used to give fluids and medicine. You may be given medicine to help you relax. Before you leave for the operating room (OR), we will page your family so you can meet with them again.
A Note to Families
The amount of time your loved one spends in the operating room depends on the type of surgery. You can wait in the Surgery Waiting Area (C5/2) on the second floor. If you have family that will be calling, please have them call (608) 263-8590. You may want to bring along a book or something to do since the time may seem to pass slowly. There are coffee, tea, reading materials, computers and TVs in this waiting area from 7:30 am until 6:30 pm weekdays. If you wish to leave the waiting area, please pick up a pager at the volunteer desk. The nurses will keep you informed during surgery. After surgery, the surgeon will talk with you.
| Sometime during the day, take your parking pass to the main hospital information desk to have it stamped and to get one pass to be used during your loved one's stay. |
In the Operating Room (OR)
Once you are in the OR, your nurse will answer questions and make sure you are comfortable. The staff wears masks, gowns, and hats. They will help you move onto a narrow, firm bed. The nurse will place a safety belt, like a seat belt, across your legs. They will place ECG (electrocardiogram) patches on your chest, a blood pressure cuff on your arm, and a plastic clip on your finger to check your heart rate and oxygen level. The anesthesiologist will ask you to breathe oxygen through a soft plastic mask and medicine will be given through your IV.
In the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
After your surgery, you will be taken to the PACU where staff will watch you as you begin your recovery. They will check your vital signs and pain level. Family and friends are not allowed in the PACU. Once you are stable, most often in 1-2 hours, you will be transferred to the inpatient orthopedic unit. Some patients may go to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for special care. Family and friends are able to visit you once you are settled in your room.
Inpatient Unit
Your nurse will continue to check on you after you arrive on the orthopedic inpatient unit (B6/4). This will include: a neurological assessment of strength and sensation, dressing check, pain assessment, urine output, and bladder volume. To check urine output and bladder volume, we will use a bladder scan machine. It measures the amount of urine in your bladder.
The tubes, drains, and equipment you may see include:
- Face mask or tube under your nose to give you oxygen.
- Plastic clip on your finger to check your heart rate and oxygen level.
- Drain in your wound.
- Catheter to drain urine from your bladder.
- Intravenous or IV pump for fluids and medicines.
- Leg wraps that inflate and deflate and elastic stockings to improve blood flow in your legs.
Eating after Surgery
Slowly moving from liquids to solids may prevent nausea. You may not be able to eat right after surgery. At first, you may get only ice chips. As your body allows, your diet will progress from clear liquids (juice and broth) to full liquids (milk or ice cream) to normal foods.
Coughing and Deep Breathing
The nurse will ask you to breathe deeply, cough, and use a breathing tool called an incentive spirometer. Deep breathing helps prevent pneumonia.
To cough and deep breathe
-
Place a pillow over your chest to decrease the pain while coughing.
-
Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose. Hold it for a few seconds.
-
Exhale slowly through the mouth.
-
Repeat twice more.
-
Breathe in again; hold it, and then cough.
To use the incentive spirometer
- Exhale and place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
- Take a deep breath. Slowly raise the Flow Rate Guide between the arrows.
- Hold it. Continue to inhale, keeping the guide as high as you can for as long as you can, or as directed by your nurse or respiratory therapist.
- Remove the mouthpiece and breathe out as usual.
- Slowly, repeat 10 times each hour while you are awake.
.jpg)
Blood Clot Prevention
People who have hip surgery are at a higher risk of getting blood clots. To decrease the risk of a blood clot, you may be taking medicine to thin the blood for 2-4 weeks after surgery. Your doctor will decide how long you will need to take this medicine. Blood draws may be needed to check how well the blood thinner is working. This depends on the blood thinner your doctor orders.
To improve circulation and decrease the risk of getting a blood clot, you will also need to wear elastic stockings for 6 weeks. You should remove them 2 times each day for one hour. You should always sleep with them on.
INR is the name of the laboratory test used to decide on your warfarin (Coumadin®) dose. INR stands for International Normalized Ratio. This value is a measure of how long it takes your blood to clot (measured by a prothrombin time or protime test). While taking warfarin, your blood will be checked regularly to find out if your INR is within your “target” range.
The INR range listed below is a general guideline. Your doctor will decide what your target range should be.
1= “Normal” bleeding time, not on warfarin.
1.5 = Slight increase in the time it takes your blood to clot; mildly increased bleeding time.
2.0-3.0 = Usual target range for many medical conditions. This is a relatively safe range with little or no bleeding risks for most patients.
2.5-3.5 = Higher target range used for some medical conditions, such as mechanical heart valves.
4.0 and above = Increased risk of bleeding. Discuss this result with your health care provider.
Pain Management
Many people worry about how much pain they will have after surgery. Although it varies with each patient, you should expect some degree of pain after surgery. We will work with you to make sure you have the best pain control possible. There are a few options your doctor may choose for pain control. Your doctor will discuss pain control options with you before surgery.
Your doctor may order pain pills, intravenous (IV) pain medicine, or an epidural (ep-i-dur-al). An epidural means pain medicine is given into a small catheter in your back near your spine. Pain pills may include a mix of short-acting and slow-release pain medicines. IV medicines are fast-acting, but do not last as long as pills.
No matter what your doctor orders right after surgery, the goal is to use pain pills as soon as you can because they give you longer lasting relief and better quality pain control than many other ways.
Some patients find pain relief from methods other than medicine. These include:
-
Ice therapy.
-
Deep breathing exercises.
-
Distraction.
-
Repositioning.
Your nurse may use a combination of these techniques. To help you, we offer 3 special TV channels.
-
The C.A.R.E. channel (number 10 on your TV) which provides a continuous relaxation environment.
-
The Healing Images channel (number 15 on your TV) which includes breathing, meditation, and imagery exercises.
-
The Chuckle Channel (number 11 on your TV) which offers light-hearted distraction with comedy.
You are a vital part of your pain management plan. You will need to talk with the nursing staff about setting realistic goals. They will work closely with you to find what works best for you.
A good pain management plan will allow you to work with physical therapy to improve your activity level. Good pain control should also allow you to rest comfortably without feeling too sleepy. Each person responds in their own way to pain medicine. It often takes a while to find what works best for you.
For best results
1. Talk with your doctor and nurses about the choices you have.
2. When possible, take (or ask for) pain medicine before physical therapy or when pain first begins. Pain pills take 20 - 30 minutes to work.
3. You will be asked to rate your pain using this scale.
0-10 Number Pain Scale
___________________________________________________________
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No Mild Moderate Severe Worst
Pain Pain
Possible
4. Tell us about pain that will not go away. Do not worry about being a "bother". Pain can sometimes be a sign of problems.
5. Let us know if you feel any side effects from the pain medicine. This includes feeling very sleepy, dizzy, or lightheaded.
Constipation
Surgery, narcotic pain medicine, decreased activity level, and a change in your diet all play a role in getting constipated. After surgery, it is common to have a problem with your bowels. Medicines may be ordered to help prevent or treat constipation.
Physical Therapy
You will begin physical therapy (PT) on the first day after surgery. The therapist will come to your room. You will learn how to:
- Move comfortably in bed.
- Get in and out of a bed safely.
- Use a walker or crutches to walk and go up and down stairs.
- Maintain total hip precautions.
To prevent falls remember to use caution in getting up too quickly after eating, lying down, resting, or using the toilet.
Lifetime hip precautions may be needed to prevent hip dislocation, or “popping the ball out of the socket.” In most cases, you should follow these rules.
- Do not cross the hip replacement leg across the other leg.
- Do not bend the artificial hip more than 90 degrees. Your knee should stay below your belt.
- Do not let your hip turn inward (pigeon-toed).
In the hospital, PT is often scheduled twice a day to improve the strength and flexibility of your leg. Ask your nurse for pain medicine before your PT. It is also a good idea to have a family member or friend attend one therapy session with you so they can see how you walk and what exercises you are doing.
If you go home, PT will meet with you for about one week. The social worker or case manager will help you arrange this. Whether you go home or to a rehabilitation facility, you should keep doing your exercises 3 times a day for 3 months. Then, you may switch to a maintenance program doing the same exercises 3 times a week for at least a year.
Most patients have their first outpatient PT visits scheduled for 10 to 14 days after leaving the hospital. We will help you set up this visit at your pre-operative clinic visit. The length of outpatient PT depends on your progress, but may last 6 to 8 weeks.
Occupational Therapy
You may meet with an Occupational Therapist (OT). They will help you use assistive devices so that you are able to bathe, dress, and fix meals. Some devices that others have found helpful include a dressing stick, a long-handled sponge, a stocking aid, elastic shoelaces, long-handled reachers, and bathroom aids. Due to your hip precautions, you will not be able to reach your feet. You will either need daily help with self-care or you will need to use assistive devices to help you be more independent.
Leaving the Hospital
Once your doctor has decided you are ready to go home, there are many things that need to be done before you leave. These tasks may take several hours. Your nurse will teach you about your diet, incision care, bathing, driving, activity level, and your follow-up clinic visit.
The unit pharmacist will review your medicines with you. If you plan to have your prescriptions filled at the pharmacy before you leave the hospital, please remember to bring money for your co-payment. If you are unclear about how to pay for your medicines, a member of the case management team will help you.
The recovery time after surgery varies from person to person. On average, by 6 to 8 weeks, you should no longer be using a cane, walker, or crutches. Surgery can cause you to feel weak and tired. In most cases, common sense will tell you when you are doing too much. On the other hand, too little activity can delay the return of your strength. It is important to keep doing the exercises given to you by the PT.
Phone Numbers
Admissions
To get admit paper work started, speak with a financial counselor or
confirm insurance .................................(608) 263-8770
First Day Surgery Unit ...........................(608) 265-8857
Fax ......................................................(608) 265-8858
Hospital Paging Operator........................(608) 262-0486
Housing Accommodations ......................(608) 263-0315
Orthopedic Clinic (H4/2) weekdays..........(608) 263-7540
After hours or weekends........................(608) 262-0486
Orthopedic Clinic fax............................. (608) 265-6526
Toll free...............................................1-800-323-8942
Outpatient Pharmacy (E5/236) ............. (608) 263-1280
Patient Information (for room number) ...(608) 263-8590
Patient Relations...................................(608) 263-8009
Registration………………………………………………. (608) 261-1600
Spiritual Care Services..........................(608) 263-8574
Surgical Waiting Area............................(608) 263-8590
Exercises for Total Joint Replacement
Perform the exercises three times daily. Call your Physical Therapist if you have questions.
Exercise 1 of 13
1. Sit or lie on your back with operative leg straight.
2. Press the back of your knee into the bed.
3. This will tighten the muscle on top of your thigh and move your kneecap as shown (upward).
4. Hold this for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position.
5. Do 10 repetitions per hour while in hospital. Once home, do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
Exercise 2 of 13

Hamstring Sets
1. Lie as shown with knee of operative leg slightly bent.
2. Press heel to bed, as if sliding heel towards buttocks.
3. Hold this for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position.
4. Do 10 repetitions per hour while in the hospital. Once home, do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
Exercise 3 of 13
.jpg)
Ankle Circles
1. Move your ankle around slowly in a large circle.
2. Repeat in the opposite direction.
3. Do 10 repetitions per hour while in hospital. Once home, do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
4. PRECAUTIONS: this movement should come only from the ankle, not the hip. Do not turn your entire leg inward! Your knee should stay facing forward (up).
Exercise 4 of 13

Heel Slides
1. Slide your heel up towards your bottom.
2. Slide your heel back down until your leg is straight.
3. Repeat with the other leg.
4. Do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
Exercise 5 of 13
Ankle Pumps
1. Bring your toes toward your face and extend your foot like you are pushing on the gas pedal.
2. Pump your foot back and forth.
3. This flexes the ankle.
4. Do 10 repetitions per hour in the hospital. Once home, do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
Exercise 6 of 13

Gluteal Sets
1. Lie on your back, not on belly as shown.
2. Tighten buttocks together firmly.
3. Hold this for 5 seconds and slowly return to the starting position.
4. Do 10 repetitions per hour while in the hospital. Once home, do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
Exercise 7 of 13
Straight Leg Raise
1. Lie on back with knee on operative leg straight and the other knee bent as shown.
2. Keep the leg completely straight, raise it 12 to 18 inches.
3. Keep your knee and toes pointed toward the ceiling throughout this exercise.
4. Hold this for 3 seconds and slowly lower.
5. Do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
Exercise 8 of 13

Hip Abduction
1. Lie on back.
2. Slide operative leg out to the side, as far as you can, then return to the starting position. Remember not to cross the midline of your body.
3. Keep your knee and toes pointed toward the ceiling.
4. Hold this for 3 seconds, slowly relax.
5. Do 10 repetitions, 3 times per day.
Exercise 9 of 13

Short Arc Quad
1. Lie on your back with 6-inch roll under your knee.
2. Flex your thigh muscle and bring your heel up.
3. Relax your thigh muscle and bring your heel towards the bed.
4. Do 10 repetitions, 3 times per day.
Exercise 10 of 13

Hip Extension (Standing)
1. Stand with feet slightly apart, holding on to the walker or a firm railing or counter top.
2. Lift operative leg backward as shown, do not bend over at the waist.
3. Hold this for 3 seconds and slowly return to the starting position.
4. Do 10 repetitions, 3 times per day.
Exercise 11 of 13
Hip Flexion (Standing)
1. Stand with feet slightly apart, holding on to the walker or a firm railing or counter top.
2. Lift the operative leg in front of you.
3. Hold this for 3 seconds and slowly return to the starting position.
4. Do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
Exercise 12 of 11
Hip Abduction (Standing)
1. Lift the operative leg to the side, holding on to the walker or a firm railing or counter top.
2. Hold this for 3 seconds and slowly return to the starting position.
3. Do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
Exercise 13 of 13
.jpg)
Standing Knee Flexion
1. Stand holding onto a solid object as shown.
2. Slowly bend the operative knee.
3. Hold this for 3 seconds and slowly return to the starting position.
4. Do 10 repetitions 3 times per day.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 08/24/2010
Copyright © 07/26/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5067
Print Health Fact For You

