Expectations after surgery:

The results are usually excellent. The operation relieves pain and stiffness, and most patients need no help walking.

With time -- sometimes as long as 20 years -- the artificial joint will loosen and revision surgery will become necessary. Younger people may wear out the lining of their new cup and need it replaced before the artificial hip loosens.

Convalescence:

You will remain in the hospital for 3 to 5 days after surgery. However, some people may need to stay temporarily at a rehabilitation unit or long-tern care center until mobility has improved and they are safely able to live independently. These centers will provide intensive physical therapy to assist you in regaining muscle strength and flexibility in the joint.

Be careful after surgery that you don't dislocate the artificial hip. The new hip will not have the same range of movement of the original joint, although you should eventually be able to return to your previous level of activity. While you should avoid vigorous sports such skiing or contact sports, many people go on to play tennis and golf quite successfully.

The use of crutches or a walker may be necessary for as long as 3 months, although most people who did not use them before are able to walk without them in several weeks.

Many surgeons place their patients on blood thinners for several weeks after surgery to help prevent blood clots. These may be taken in the form of pills (either Coumadin or aspirin) or injections.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

The new joint has a limited range of movement. You will need to take special precautions to avoid displacing the joint, including:

• Avoid crossing your legs or ankles even when sitting, standing, or lying.
• When sitting, keep you feet about 6 inches apart.
• When sitting, keep your knees below the level of your hips. Avoid chairs that are too low. You may sit on a pillow to keep your hips higher than your knees.
• When getting up from a chair, slide toward the edge of the chair and then use your walker or crutches for support.
• Avoid bending over at the waist. You may consider purchasing a long-handled shoehorn or a sock aid to help you put on and take off your shoes and socks without bending over. Also, an extension reacher or grabber may be helpful for picking up objects that are too low for you to reach.
• When lying in bed, place a pillow between your legs to keep the joint in proper alignment.
• A special pillow or splint may be used to keep the hip in correct alignment.
• An elevated toilet seat may be necessary to keep the knees lower than the hips when sitting on the toilet.