Back home after the surgery

Further exercises

Further exercises are useful and necessary to maintain the flexibility of the knee joint and to strengthen the thigh muscles. This is preferably done under the supervision of a physiotherapist of your choice. The prescription for the physiotherapist can be found at the bottom of the 'blue' information sheet: mobilization, dosed muscle exercises and further gait re-education. In this way you regain more independence from day to day, so that steps with one crutch and without crutch becomes possible.

Remember, however, that haste is completely wrong: the body will gradually adjust to your artificial hip.

The prescription for the physiotherapist is very important: no massage on the scar and no exercises that cause pain or overload. Therefore, urge your physiotherapist to strictly follow the prescription!

Blood-thinning syringes

Bij ontslag wordt een voorschrift voor bloedverdunnende Clexane spuitjes meegegeven. Deze kunnen zelf toedgediend worden of er kan een thuisverpleegkundige ingeschakeld worden. In totaal worden deze spuitjes 6 weken toegediend.

Dressing and brackets

If the wound remains dry, the dressing can safely remain closed for five days. If not, dressing changes should be done. If necessary, a home nurse can be called. The brackets may be removed by the general practitioner or nurse two weeks after the procedure. For this there is a special pliers that makes the removal of the brackets completely pain free.

Pain medication

At discharge from the hospital, the pain has largely disappeared. A painful rise can occur and can easily be treated with paracetamol using effervescent tablets or in pill form (max 4X 1g per day). Ice on the operated knee remainsvery efficiently against pain and swelling at home.

Positions to avoid

During the first two months, the soft tissue around the hip prosthesis will recover. This recovery is extremely important for a permanent stability of the artificial hip. Therefore, avoid wrong postures and extreme movements during that period.

Complications that can occur at home

Further complications that can occur at home are just as rare as the complications in the hospital.

The formation of blood clots or phlebitis may occur at home and is avoided by daily blood-thinning Clexane injections.

Hip dislocation or luxation is usually due to a wrong movement.

Infection or infection can occur in a second time, so consult your doctor if you have a wound or if you have a fever.

A stiff feeling in the leg can occur temporarily. Excessive strength exercises are out of the question.

Sometimes, after a metal-on-metal prosthesis, you may hear a strange beeping sound. You do not have to worry about this and this will disappear spontaneously.