First Days After Surgery

After surgery, your leg will be placed in a special positioning splint or elevated on cushions. You may see the tubes of a drain sticking out of the bandages and, in some cases, you may have a bladder catheter. All of the tubes are usually removed within 48 hours of surgery at the latest. A follow-up X-ray is obtained and blood tests are performed on several days. You will be given a painkiller to relieve postoperative pain. A daily injection of blood thinning agent will be administered to reduce the risk of blood clotting and embolism. If possible, you should stand up and take a few steps on the first day after surgery. Once you feel steady enough, you will be able to walk unassisted on crutches and will soon be able to cover increasing distances.

You will be started on a programme of physiotherapy in the first few days after surgery to promote postoperative recovery. Your physiotherapist will show you which movements to avoid in the beginning and how much weight-bearing is allowed on the leg.

In 5 to 7 days, you will be discharged from the hospital or, in the case of elderly patients, from the rehabilitation clinic, if applicable. The sutures are generally removed 2 weeks after surgery.

When the MicroHip procedure is performed, recovery often proceeds much faster, so you may be able to leave the hospital sooner. The precondition for this is that you are able to walk unassisted and that the surgical wound is dry with no signs of irritation.