Preparing For A Successful Recovery At Home From Total Hip Surgery

You're getting ready to have a joint replacement done to repair that arthritic hip. Once you get home, you'll need to focus on regaining the flexibility in your hip followed by strengthening the muscles affected by the arthritis and surgery. Before you go to the hospital, make sure your home is ready for your recovery. Here are a few ways to prepare for a successful hip joint replacement recovery at home.

Arrange for Help at Home

When you get home from the hospital, you'll be weak from the surgery and a little unsteady in your feet. You'll want help around for a few days while you build up your strength and stamina. Scheduling enough time with friends and family can be difficult, so consider a home health care service. They have staff trained to help people recovering from a variety of procedures.

You can have someone there at your home to help with getting up on your feet and out of bed or a chair, supervise you as you walk, and watch your surgical incision for signs of a problem. They will help with your medications and can take your basic vital signs, such a blood pressure and temperature, and document them in your medical records.

They will also be your intermediary should you have questions about your health and recovery. The home health care staff can call your doctor with any questions or concerns you may have.

Make Your House More Friendly to Your Recovery

Your home may feel like an obstacle course when you get home, so take the time to rearrange it to give you better access.

• Move the furniture around in the rooms so you have a clear path through each room.
• Pick up any rugs that may slip when you step on them and cause you to fall.
• Move small objects, such as trash cans and electrical cords, that might cause you to trip.
• Take often-use items out of kitchen cabinets and place them on the counter so you won't have to reach up high or down low for them.
• If your bedroom is upstairs, move it downstairs for a few weeks so you can avoid the stairs for as long as possible.
• If your washer and dryer are downstairs, have someone do your laundry so you can avoid those stairs, too.
• Have firm chairs to sit on. If you sink when you sit down, you'll have to lean forward more to get up. This puts your new hip in a dangerous angle that could damage it or even dislocate the hip joint.

For more information, contact companies like Neighbors Home Care Services. 

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