Anterior Hip Replacement
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
Anterior hip replacement (AHR) is surgery to replace a hip joint damaged by wear, injury, or disease. The hip joint is where the top of your femur (thigh bone) sits in the socket of your pelvic bone. The joint is held together by ligaments and muscles. The top of your femur is shaped like a ball and covered with cartilage. Cartilage is a tissue that helps joints move.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call 911 for any of the following:
- You have chest pain when you take a deep breath or cough. You may cough up blood.
- Your leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- You suddenly feel lightheaded and short of breath.
Seek care immediately if:
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- Your incision wound comes apart.
- You urinate less than usual or not at all.
- Your wound is red, swollen, or draining pus.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- You have a fever or chills.
- You have nausea or are vomiting.
- You have increased pain and swelling in your hip joint, even after you take pain medicine.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask how to take this medicine safely.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Self-care:
- Care for your incision wound as directed. Do not get your wound wet until it is completely healed. Ask your healthcare provider when it is okay to get your wound wet. Change your bandage as directed and if it gets wet or dirty.
- Use a cane or walker as directed. These devices will help decrease your risk for falls right after surgery. Your healthcare provider will recommend that you place weight on your hip as much as possible.
- Do your exercises several times each day as directed. A physical therapist teaches you exercises to help improve movement and strength, and to decrease pain. Exercises build strength and prevent blood clots.
Activity:
You may be able to start driving 1 week after surgery. Ask your healthcare provider when you can return to your normal daily activities, such as work.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:
You will need to have your stitches or staples removed. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
