Total Hip Arthroplasty

Post-Operative Protocol

Post-operative Patient Care

  • Your dressing (bandage) over the incision is waterproof. Do not remove this dressing after surgery
  • You may shower with this dressing on but CANNOT take a bath or go in a pool or hot tub
  • If water gets into the dressing, remove it immediately and contact Dr. Cinats’ office (604-545-1405)
  • If the dressing becomes completely soaked in blood or begins to leak, contact Dr. Cinats’ office immediately
  • You will be seen by Dr. Cinats in the clinic approximately 14 days after your surgery to remove your staples or sutures

Post-operative Activity Guide

  • You may stand and walk immediately after your hip replacement. Walking is not only good to help with pain and to reduce swelling, but it also helps prevent blood clots
  • You may or may not have certain restrictions in terms of how much you can move your hip or the positions you can place your leg in, depending on the surgical approach that was used for your hip replacement. Please refer to the personalized physiotherapy guide which will be provided to you after your operation
  • In general, you are encouraged to be as mobile as possible after your surgery. However, if you experience significant pain after a certain activity, it means you are slightly overdoing it and should decrease your activity level. Let pain be your guide
  • Any restrictions you may have after surgery will be lifted 6-12 weeks after your surgery.

Pain Control after Total Hip Arthroplasty

  • Your hip has been injected with a local freezing which lasts 12-18 hours
  • You should start taking pain medication before the freezing wears off to ensure you stay on top of pain
  • The below medications are usually safe for most patients, but certain medical conditions may limit your ability to take these medications
  • PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION
  • The first medications you should take are Tylenol and Advil
    • Tylenol 1000mg every 6 hours
    • Advil 400mg every 6 hours
  • If you pain is not controlled by alternating Tyenol and Advil, you can take the narcotic medication that has been prescribed