When you leave the hospital after hip replacement surgery, you'll have a long road of recovery ahead. Your mobility will improve over a period of several weeks, but at first, you'll probably have difficulty walking, stooping, and standing for very long. To make your home recovery as smooth as possible, it's a good idea to prepare in advance so you come home from the hospital to a setting that is suitable for your limited mobility. Here are some things that will help.
Prepare Your Lounging Area
You don't want to stay in bed, because being inactive isn't good for your general health. You'll be doing gentle hip exercises every day, and you'll need to move around as much as your doctor allows. However, in the first several days, you'll probably spend a lot of your time resting and relaxing so you can heal from the surgery. For that reason, you should prepare a lounging area where you'll be comfortable and have everything you need within reach.
Position a comfortable chair or recliner near a television or computer, so you'll have entertainment to watch. If you like to read, stack some books and magazines near the chair. If you like to knit or crochet, have the supplies handy, so …show more content…
Even if you feel you can take care of yourself, it's still a good idea to have someone check on you daily to make sure you're progressing as you should. Also, you'll probably be undergoing physical therapy to speed your healing, and you'll need transportation to your therapy sessions as well as your follow up doctor visits. Fortunately, it shouldn't take long for you to regain your mobility. The speed of your recovery depends on your general health, but once healing is underway, you may find your mobility is much improved over what it was before the surgery. With a new hip joint in place, you'll have better range of motion and less pain when you