Patient Education: Total Hip Replacement

1. Understanding Total Hip Replacement

What it is:
Total hip replacement surgery involves removing the damaged hip joint and replacing it with an artificial joint made of metal, plastic, or ceramic.

Why it’s needed:

To relieve hip pain from arthritis or injury
To restore mobility and function
To allow daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, and sitting comfortably

Types of hip replacement:

Total hip replacement: Replaces both the ball and socket of the hip joint
Partial hip replacement: Replaces only the ball of the hip joint

Location and severity:

Surgery involves the hip joint
Severity depends on how much damage exists in the hip and how limited movement or pain affects daily life

Cause / Risk Factors:

Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
Hip fracture or injury
Age-related wear and tear
Obesity
Previous hip surgeries

2. Symptoms to Watch For

After surgery, watch for:

Redness, warmth, swelling, or pus at the incision site
Fever or chills
Increasing pain not relieved by medication
Difficulty moving the leg or unusual sensations

Delayed complications may include:

Infection at the incision site or deep in the hip
Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis)
Hip dislocation
Loosening of the artificial hip

3. Post-Hospitalization Information

Take all prescribed medications, including pain medicine and blood thinners
Attend follow-up appointments for monitoring healing and hip function
Use assistive devices like walkers or canes as instructed

4. Home Management & Recovery

Pain management:

Take prescribed pain medications as directed
Ice packs or gentle elevation may reduce swelling

Mobility:

Begin gentle walking as recommended
Avoid bending the hip past 90 degrees, crossing legs, or twisting
Follow physical therapy exercises for strength and range of motion

Wound care:

Keep the incision clean and dry
Follow your physician’s dressing instructions
Contact your doctor or home health nurse if redness, pus, or unusual drainage occurs

Rest and rehabilitation:

Rest when needed but gradually increase activity
Physical therapy helps restore motion, strength, and balance

5. Prevention of Complications

Infection prevention:

Wash hands before touching the incision
Keep dressings clean and dry
Avoid swimming or soaking until cleared

Fall prevention:

Remove loose rugs and obstacles
Use proper lighting and handrails
Avoid bending or twisting that can cause dislocation

Monitoring for delayed symptoms:

Watch for fever, increasing pain, swelling, or unusual hip movement
Contact your healthcare provider if any of these occur

6. When to Contact Home Health vs ER

Contact home health or your doctor if:

Mild redness or swelling
Questions about wound care or medications
Mild discomfort that is manageable with medications

Go to the ER immediately if:

Severe hip pain or inability to move the leg
Redness spreading, pus, or heavy bleeding
Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
Sudden swelling of the leg
Hip appears out of place or dislocated

Patient Homework / Assessment: True or False (20 Questions)

Instructions: Read each statement. Circle or mark whether it is TRUE or FALSE.

TRUE or FALSE: Total hip replacement replaces both the ball and socket of the hip joint.
TRUE or FALSE: Partial hip replacement replaces only the ball of the hip joint.
TRUE or FALSE: Surgery is done on the knee joint.
TRUE or FALSE: Surgery can relieve hip pain caused by arthritis.
TRUE or FALSE: Hip fractures may be a reason for hip replacement.
TRUE or FALSE: Redness, swelling, or pus may indicate infection.
TRUE or FALSE: Fever after surgery should be ignored.
TRUE or FALSE: Increasing pain not relieved by medication should be reported.
TRUE or FALSE: Gentle walking is encouraged after surgery.
TRUE or FALSE: Bending the hip past 90 degrees or crossing legs is allowed immediately.
TRUE or FALSE: Wounds should be kept clean and dry.
TRUE or FALSE: Physical therapy helps restore hip motion and strength.
TRUE or FALSE: Fall prevention is important after hip replacement.
TRUE or FALSE: Handwashing helps prevent infection.
TRUE or FALSE: Blood clots are a possible complication after hip replacement.
TRUE or FALSE: Follow-up appointments are important to monitor healing.
TRUE or FALSE: Home health can assist with mild wound care or questions.
TRUE or FALSE: Severe hip pain or inability to move the leg requires ER care.
TRUE or FALSE: Swimming is safe immediately after surgery.
TRUE or FALSE: Rest and gradual activity are both important for recovery.

Answer Key with Explanations

TRUE – Total hip replacement replaces both the ball and socket.
TRUE – Partial hip replacement replaces only the ball.
FALSE – Surgery is performed on the hip joint, not the knee.
TRUE – Surgery relieves pain from arthritis or injury.
TRUE – Hip fractures can make hip replacement necessary.
TRUE – Redness, swelling, or pus may indicate infection.
FALSE – Fever may indicate infection and should be checked.
TRUE – Increasing pain not relieved by medication should be reported.
TRUE – Gentle walking improves circulation and healing.
FALSE – Avoid bending past 90 degrees or crossing legs to prevent dislocation.
TRUE – Keeping wounds clean and dry helps prevent infection.
TRUE – Physical therapy restores strength and motion.
TRUE – Fall prevention reduces risk of injury or dislocation.
TRUE – Handwashing reduces infection risk.
TRUE – Blood clots may form in the legs (DVT) after surgery.
TRUE – Follow-up appointments monitor healing and hip function.
TRUE – Home health can assist with mild wound care and questions.
TRUE – Severe pain or inability to move the leg may indicate complication.
FALSE – Swimming may increase infection risk until cleared.
TRUE – Both rest and gradual activity are important for recovery.