Immediately after surgery

After surgery, you will be transferred to the recovery room, where staff will monitor you as you wake from the anaesthetic. You will then be taken back to your hospital room.

Walking and weight bearing is encouraged immediately. On the day of surgery or the following day physiotherapists will begin your exercises to start your recovery. Continuing these exercises at home is essential for the best outcome.

Patients usually stay in hospital for three to five days before returning home. It is uncommon to require inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, however rehabilitation requirements will be discussed with you by the hospital’s rehabilitation coordinator during your admission.

Mobility and walking aids

You will initially use:

• two crutches or a walking frame for 2–4 weeks

• then one crutch (opposite hand) for 4–6 weeks, or until you can walk without a limp.

You will be taught safe techniques for daily activities such as bending, sitting, and using stairs to reduce the risk of dislocation.

You should sleep with a pillow between your legs for up to six weeks to prevent your legs from crossing. Avoid low chairs and deep bending during early recovery.

Some pain and swelling around the hip and thigh are expected, and swelling may extend into the lower leg and foot.

Caring for your wounds

Your dressing must remain clean, dry, and intact for two weeks.

• Wash but do not to get the dressing wet.

• If the edges lift, tape them down.

• A small amount of blood staining is normal.

• You may shower but avoid baths or swimming until four weeks after your operation.

• Swelling in the knee and leg is expected—rest, elevate, and ice the knee to help reduce it.

Mr Patten almost always uses dissolving stitches, which do not need removal. You will be advised what type of stitches you have.

Managing pain after surgery

Some swelling and pain are a normal part of recovery and will gradually improve.

These are best managed by:

• resting and elevating your leg when seated

• applying ice to hip and leg for 20–30 minutes every few hours

• taking pain relief as prescribed.

You will be discharged with pain medication. For ongoing pain management, please arrange a review with your GP.

Most patients taper off pain relief by three to four weeks after surgery.

If you are worried about your level of pain, please contact our rooms for reassurance and to rule out rare complications.

Recovery timeline

• 4 weeks: generally comfortable

• 3 months: almost fully recovered

• 3–6 months:  final subtle improvements

Returning to work

• Desk‑based work: 3–4 weeks

• Manual or labour‑intensive work: 6–8 weeks

Driving

• Right hip replacement: 4–6 weeks

• Left hip replacement: 2–4 weeks (depending on manual vs automatic car)

You may resume driving when you feel comfortable and safe. Start with short trips, as hip muscles may fatigue easily.

Dental work

Before any invasive dental work (fillings, extractions, etc.), advise your dentist that you have a joint replacement, as antibiotic cover is recommended. Your dentist will follow their own antibiotic protocol.

You may not need antibiotics for a routine scale and clean.

Risks and complications

Complications are uncommon but may include:

• Superficial wound infection

• Blood clots

• Persistent hip pain

Rare complications include:

• Injury to surrounding structures such as nerves or blood vessels

• Infection within the joint (peri‑prosthetic infection)

Over time a knee replacement can:

• wear out

• come loose

• experience a peri‑prosthetic fracture (fracture of the bone around the implant)

Some of these may require further surgery.