Minimally-Invasive Total Hip Replacement Surgery
Last updated Thursday, January 15, 2009
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Recovering from surgery
Pain and pain management
It is thought that minimally-invasive hip replacement
surgery is less painful than the traditional approach primarily because muscles
and tissue are not disrupted to the same degree. The hospital stay with
minimally-invasive surgery is usually one to two days, versus three to four
days with traditional surgery.
With either approach, patients who have general or regional
(nerve block) anesthesia normally have good pain control through intravenous
pain medication using a
patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump for 12 to 18 hours following surgery.
After that, pain can be managed with oral medications. These medications are
usually taken for about a week. Some patients require heavier medication
following surgery, depending on the surgical approach and the patient’s
tolerance for pain.Use of medications
If a patient has a nerve block, he or she can often go
straight to oral medications and no IV pain medication is needed. If the
patient has general anesthesia, he or she may be on pain medication
administered through IV for one day. Most receive the narcotic either through
IV or orally for the first day and then for about a week thereafter they will
be prescribed a narcotic pain medication, such as Percocet or Vicodin.
Typically patients then transition to Tylenol as needed.
In addition, patients will be prescribed a blood thinning
medication following surgery to prevent blood clots. They will usually be required
to take this medication every 12 hours for two weeks.
Effectiveness of medications
Patients usually experience some pain during the first 24
hours following hip surgery. Thereafter, the pain usually eases significantly
and is generally well-managed with oral medication.Important side effects
As with any pain medication, if a patient takes too much or
combines it with alcohol, they could experience the common side effect of
drowsiness, nausea or possibly itching.
Taking the specified amount without alcohol may still cause
side effects, such as a sedative effect, nausea, vomiting, constipation and
even temporary depression.
Nausea can be alleviated by taking medication with food
and/or avoiding alcohol when taking pain medication. Itching can be addressed
by taking an antihistamine or patients may try using a skin cream or lotion for
relief.
Patients should contact their physician if they experience
any side effects to determine the best course of action.
Hospital stay
With minimally-invasive hip replacement, patients are
usually hospitalized for about two days. With a traditional operation,
hospitalization is usually three to four days.
Patients are assisted with getting up and out of bed as soon
after surgery as possible. They are instructed on the use of crutches or a
walker, how to navigate their way to the restroom and to go up and down stairs.
Before discharge, patients must be able to walk with crutches or walker to the
restroom and get in and out of bed on their own.
Recovery and rehabilitation in the hospital
Following hip replacement surgery, rehabilitation in the
hospital involves the patient working with a physical or occupational therapist
to ensure he or she is comfortable using crutches or a walker. He or she will
also be shown how to perform gentle range of motion movements and will need to
do them while in the hospital. Full weight bearing on the operated leg will
also be begun in the hospital.Hospital discharge
When patients leave the hospital following hip replacement
surgery, they will use crutches or a walker. They will not be able to drive.
Patients should get up to go to the rest room and to eat meals, but should use
crutches or a walker. Some weight bearing activity using the operated leg
should be done each day.Convalescent assistance
Following hip replacement surgery, patients typically
recover at home. They will need help cooking and cleaning while they are on
crutches. They will not be able to drive for at least two weeks. Patients may
choose to have washcloth baths or to receive help getting in and out of the
shower or tub.
A convalescent facility
is not usually needed. In fact, patients requiring intensive rehabilitation are
encouraged to have a traditional surgical approach.
Surgery for Minimally-Invasive Total Hip Replacement Surgery - degenerative joint disease at the University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, Washington
If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure in Seattle, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 to make an appointment. Our clinical center is located in Seattle Washington, USA
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