Precautions after the surgery:

The hip replacement that you have had is an artifical joint. You need to look after it so that it gives you many years of trouble free service. It is not a new natural joint and cannot be used as one. The precautions to be taken particularly in the first 6-8 weeks are:

• Contact your doctor if you notice in the operated area, any redness, leaking fluid or increasing pain.
• Do not bend the hip more than a right angle as this could cause the hip to dislocate or pop out of the joint. This means not bending to take the thigh higher than the horizontal.
• Avoid low chairs and toilet seats.
• Do not bend down to the floor to pick up objects. Use a helping hand.
• Do not force the hip to bend to reach your toes such as to clip your toe nails or put on your stockings. Ask for assistance.
• Do not twist the hip.
• Do not cross your legs.
• Do not lie on your side for the first 6 weeks.
• In the longer term, there is a small risk of spread of infection to the hip should you have an infection anywhere else in the body or indeed if you are undegoing an operation, internal examination or even dental work. Remember to inform your doctor and he will consider putting you on antibiotics as preventative measure.