What to Expect:
-The day of discharge you will be seen by a physical therapist and/or a registered nurse.
-The physical therapist will make several visits during the first week and help you to adapt your home for safety.
-The nurse will come as needed to draw blood and check you incision.
-The assistive devices should be at your home.

What You Will Be Able To Do:
-Get in an out of bed.
-On day 5-7 begin showering, but avoid soaking your incision and dry it throoughly.
-Dress lower extremities independently using assistive devices and techniques taught in the hospital. You may need help with the elastic support stockings.
-Get up and down from an armchair with no help.
-Walk frequently from room to room putting as much weight on the operated leg as instructed using a walker.
-Go up and down 5-10 stairs with a rail and a crutch or cane on the opposite side.
-Stand in the kitchen 5-10 minutes to prepare a snack.
-Get in and out of the car using techniques taught in the hospital. Minimal assistance may be necessary for your operated leg.

Home Exercise Program:
-Take prescribed pain pills to allow more comfort when exercising.
-Remember to use HIP PRECAUTIONS so you do not dislocate your prosthesis.
-Do your prescribed exercises 3-4 times per day to improve strength and flexibility.
-Return to bed once a day for no more than 1 hour to decrease pain and swelling in your leg.
-Wear your elastic support stockings to prevent blood clots. They should be removed for 1 hour a day when you return to bed.
-Walk increasing distances about once an hour to improve the strength and movement in your hip.
-Don't sit more than 30 minutes at a time.

What To Expect:
-As your mobility and strength increases the therapist will decrease the frequency of visits.
-The nurse will continue to make visits to draw blood and will remove the staples from your incision.
-Your leg may swell. Elevate it.
REMEMBER your Hip Precautions.

What You Will Be Able To Do:
-Continue to do all of the things you were able to do last week and in addition:
-Shower independently if you have a walk-in shower.
-If you have a shower/tub, you should be using a tub chair for safety and within the limits of your hip precautions.
-Do limited cooking and kitchen activities (standing for 10-20 minutes).
-Go up and down an entire flight of stairs (12-16 stairs) with a railing and a crutch or a cane on the opposite side.
-Weather permitting, start walking outside with the walker or crutches and someone at your side. You should be able to walk 2-3 houses and back.
-Get in and out of the car by yourself using techniques taught in the hospital.
-Remember to use Hip Precautions so you do not dislocate your prosthesis.

Home Exercise Program:
-As your pain decreases, start an over-the-counter pain reliever (acetaminophen "Tylenol" 325-650mg every 4-6 hrs) instead of the prescription pain pills. Do not take aspirin or anti- inflammatory medications (NSAIDS).
-Continue with your exercises 3-4 times a day. -Increase the number of repetitions of your exercises.
-Continue to elevate your leg to minimize pain and swelling.
-Continue to wear your elastic stockings.
-Continue to increase the distance you walk.

What To Expect:
-As your walking abilities and activities improve you will no longer need the therapist.
-You should continue your own home exercise program.
-A cane is the preferred assistive device for cemented prosthesis, unless, safety requires a walker.

What You Will Be Able To Do:
-If you are able to bear weight status, get in and out of tub with minimal assistance.
-If you have non-weight bearing status, continue using a tub bench independently.
-Dress yourself completely.
-Cook meals.
-Do light housekeeping.
-Go about your normal household routine adapting activity as neede to incorporate hip precautions.
-Walk alone inside and outside your home up to 1/2 block or more wiht a walker or a cane.
-Get in and out of the car by yourself.
-Go out to a restaurant and put your leg under the table.
-Do light shopping (15-20 minutes).
-Do your exercises independently.
-Lift and carry light objects or groceries (less than 5 pounds).

Home Exercise Program:
-Use over-the-counter pain medication only when you need it.
-Continue to advance your exercise program.
-Continue to elevate your leg and wear the elastic stockings. Continue to wear the TED hose for 6 weeks or until the doctor says differently.
-Continue to walk. If you are strong enough, a cane may be used rather than your walker or crutches.
-Remember to use HIP PRECAUTIONS so you do not dislocate your prosthesis.
-Go back to see your orthopedic surgeon in his office.

-You should have scheduled a 3 week visit with your doctor and a 6 week visit with the physical therapist from the hospital.

-If you have an uncemented prosthesis, the appointment with the physical therapist should be at 8 weeks instead of 6.

-If you have questions, call the appropriate resource, either your homecare, equipment company, or physician.