Best Gifts to Celebrate Recovery from a Hip Replacement Surgery
Hip replacement surgery is considered one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine. It is also the second most common surgical joint procedure, with knee replacements taking the number one spot.
It is sometimes hard to know when exactly someone needs hip replacement surgery. Hence, it is important to always contact your doctor and let him know all about your conditions, signs, and symptoms for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Hip replacement surgery
Hip replacement surgery is a procedure where portions of the pelvis and femur are removed and replaced with metal or plastic-metal components.
The hip is known as a ball-and-socket joint. As a person ages, the cartilage will wear down and may get damaged. This causes friction between the joints, roughening the bones and scraping important surrounding tissue.
This condition is known as osteoarthritis and is the most common cause of a hip replacement. However, there are other causes such as trauma or cartilage defects.
Whichever the underlying purpose of hip surgery is, fixing it and feeling better by having more mobility calls for some big celebratory gifts and activities. This is major surgery, so we want nothing but smiles and positive thoughts once the patient gets out of surgery.
The patient will most likely be hospitalized for about four to seven days after the surgery.
During their hospital stay, a cushion will be placed between the patient’s legs to keep the hip in place and reduce the risk of dislocation. Family and friends can definitely gift a cushioned wedge for the patient to rest the hip on. They are way more comfortable than the ones the hospital provides, and are usually made of memory foam.
Another great gift to compensate for any pain the patient is in is to give them some comfortable pajamas and a robe.
Physical therapy will also be provided during the hospital stay and family members and friends will be given instructions and guidelines to follow back home when the patient is discharged.
The hospital will also be looking out for any complications that might arise. The family should not forget to bring an extra pillow and blanket from home.
Also, if the stay is long, bring some pictures to personalize the room a bit and make them feel more at home.
Not all is fun and games, though. As with all types of surgeries, there are some activities that the patient should avoid right after getting a hip replacement.
Patients should avoid twisting and rotating the involved leg, raising the leg past the midline of the body, and bending the hip past 90 degrees.
Most patients will be walking with crutches, a walker, or cane one to two days after the surgery. Family and friends can make this new accessory better by gifting the patient customized crutches or cane with their favorite color or pattern.
It is very important to follow all the guidelines and instructions. Failure to do increases the risk of hip dislocation, requiring another surgery.
Outpatient recovery
After being discharged from the hospital, outpatient recovery will last from three to seven weeks. Several modifications are recommended for the household. Having the adjustments made while the patient is in the hospital, and surprising them when they get back home will definitely help them lift stress and pressure off their shoulders.
To make their home easier to walk through during the recovery period, there are many things you can do that will help with daily activities and lower the risk of falling. These include installing safety bars in the bath and shower room, having a wedge cushion and a stable chair available, raising any toilet seats if needed, installing a shower hose and long sponge, and removing all electrical cords and carpets that are loose.
Also, keeping the wound clean is very important and will aid in lowering the risk of infection.
A romantic way of making the patient feel better is to help them shower.
Prepare a warm shower, and have a good home spa ready.
You can also light candles in the bathroom for a more romantic setting.
Who said that post-surgery can’t have romantic moments? Just remember to never put water directly on the incision, and to let the water flow down the incision.
When drying the incision, it is best to pat it down lightly and not rub the wound.
Activities for patient and caregivers
Although there are many things you can’t do together during the recovery period, there are many ways to make the recovery smoother and enjoyable. Here are some activities that patients and their caregivers to do together.
Develop a walking routine
A routine that follows all the guidelines of the doctor and physical therapist. It is recommended to walk at least 30 minutes every day.
Have a movie night
Gather all your family members and friends to watching a movie or TV series in the comfort of your home.
Throw a dinner party
Family and friends can help with the dinner party by bringing the food or preparing the food in the home of the patient. There is nothing better than sitting down with friends and family while enjoying some good stories and laughter.
Take a post-surgery vacation
Plan a vacation after the recovery period. Travel to a place that the patient wasn’t able to visit because of the pain or conditions that limited travel prior to surgery.
Learn new hobbies
Origami, woodwork, drawing, and painting are fun ideas that will keep the mind active and healthy.
Start a blog or diary of your recovery
It would be interesting for the patient to start a diary of the surgery, recovery period, including the ups and downs of the entire process. Sharing experiences is important because it can help other hip surgery candidates prepare for the surgery.
Having hobbies and sharing time with family and friends during the recovery period is essential to the well-being of the patient.
Emotional support is one of the top priorities during the post-surgery period. Furthermore, helping out with household chores, preparing meals beforehand, helping with showering or bathing, and helping take care of pets will decrease a patient’s stress and give them the chance to focus on their recovery.
Expect the doctor to give a follow-up appointment within seven to 12 weeks after the surgery.
This appointment is to make sure that the hip is healing properly and to answer any questions the patient or caregiver might have.
Patient and caregiver education is very important for the longevity of the replaced prosthetic hip. Always notify new doctors and any future caregivers of an artificial joint.
Hip replacement surgery is considered one of the most successful joint surgeries to date.
As technology gets better and more studies are done, hip prosthetic devices last longer and the techniques have become less invasive. This means more time for family and friends. The future for hip replacement surgery looks promising in the upcoming years.
References
- Cluett, Jonathan. “Things to Consider Before Hip Replacement.” Very Well Health, 6 Sept. 2019, www.verywellhealth.com/considering-hip-replacement-surgery-2549565.
- Evans, Jonathan, et al. “How Long Does a Hip Replacement Last? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case Series and National Registry Reports with More than 15 Years of Follow-Up.” The Lancet Journal, vol. 393, no. 10172, 16 Feb. 2019, pp. 647–654., DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31665-9.
- Shelton, Trevor, et al. “Self-Resolution of a Draining Sinus Tract in a Patient with Chronic Periprosthetic Hip Infection.” Case Reports in Orthopedics, vol. 2018, no. 8657562, 19 Feb. 2018, DOI:10.1155/2018/8657562.
- Sivasankar, M, et al. “A Review on Total Hip Replacement.” International Research Journal in Advanced Engineering and Technology, vol. 2, no. 2, 15 Mar. 2016, pp. 589–642. P-ISSN: 2454-4744, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309855142_A_Review_on_Total_Hip_Replacement.
