RECOVERY!

THE OPERATION

HIP REPLACEMENT A hip replacement involves replacing the damaged hip joint with an artificial one made of metal or ceramic. The hip is known as a balland-socket joint – the ball at the top of the thigh bone (femur) moves smoothly inside the ‘socket’ of the pelvis, which is lined with cartilage. When this cartilage wears away, the bone becomes exposed and can get damaged, causing stiffness and pain.

THE SURGEON SAYS

Mr Kailash Desai is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the West Middlesex University Hospital and the BMI Clementine Churchill in London. He says: ‘It helps if you can lose weight beforehand as the success rate is lower the heavier you are.

‘Regular exercise, such as using an exercise bike, will also help as muscle strength means less pain post-surgery.

‘Start by gently moving your legs and ankles in bed after the operation to reduce the risk of clots.

‘You will be discharged from hospital after three to five days. At home, don’t be tempted to sit on a comfortable sofa as sitting on a low chair can increase the risk of dislocation.

‘I would advise opting for a straight-backed dining chair instead.

‘Set a timer on your mobile phone to remind you to move little and often. You’ll need to use crutches for up to six weeks, so don’t be in a rush to stop using them.

‘Not pressing down properly on your heel can cause flat feet, resulting in leg and back pain. You should be able to drive again after six weeks, and return to normal activities after three months.’

THE PATIENT SAYS

Neil Newett, 56, a council assessment officer, had a total replacement of his left hip in September 2011. He lives in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with his wife Sarah, 53, and has two daughters and two stepdaughters.

Neil says: ‘I’m a keen squash player, so I assumed that my knee pain was down to a sports injury. However, I later had X-rays which revealed that the joint in my left hip had completely worn away.

‘The pain was at its worst during my first night in hospital – I found using my iPad was a welcome distraction.

‘Back at home, I found that lying on my back with a firm pillow behind me was the most comfortable way to sleep.

‘In the bathroom, I had a raised toilet seat to help me sit up straighter and manoeuvre myself more easily, and had showers as you should wait at least six weeks before using the bath.

‘I also kept duplicates of items such as slippers and reading glasses downstairs as negotiating the stairs was quite tricky during the first few weeks.

‘I set myself daily goals, starting with walking across the lounge and gradually building up to walking to the end of the street. I’m also back on the squash court.’