Blog > Questions Your Elderly Loved One Might Have After Hip Replacement Surgery

Questions Your Elderly Loved One Might Have After Hip Replacement Surgery

If your elderly loved one is going to have a hip replacement surgery, they might be filled with questions. It can be scary and worrisome to get any type of surgery. However, it might help your elderly loved one to know that hip replacements for the elderly are quite common. Regardless, there still may be some questions that your elderly loved one has regarding hip replacement surgery recovery.

When will I be able to take a shower?

There is not an exact time that people are allowed to shower after a hip replacement surgery. It varies depending on many factors. However, your loved one’s doctor will let them know when it is okay to take a shower. Until then, they should keep their incision dry. They might be able to take a sponge bath within the 1st day of recovery as long as that incision stays dry. During the 1st 2 weeks of recovery, there is the highest chance of getting an infection. After the surgical stables come out (usually between 10 to 14 days after surgery), your loved one can take a shower.

When will I be able to start walking around?

Until your elderly loved one’s staples come out, they shouldn’t be walking around a bunch. Of course, they will need to get up to go to the bathroom and move a bit. However, until they are cleared by their doctor, they should use their cane or walker to move around. The more your elderly loved one follows their physical therapy treatment plan, the sooner they will be able to walk around without the use of a cane or walker. Until your loved one can move around more on their own, they might need an elderly care provider to help out.

What foods should I be eating after my surgery?

Your elderly loved one might be wondering if there are any restrictions regarding the food they should be eating after surgery. The most important thing in this regard is that your elderly loved one should be eating healthy foods.

The foods that your loved one eats after surgery will impact their nutrition and energy. Eating healthy foods means their body has a better chance of fighting infections, speeding up the healing process, and improving strength.

Conclusion

These are some of the questions that your elderly loved one might have in regard to their hip replacement surgery recovery process. Everyone recovers a bit differently than the next person. If your elderly loved one has other questions that can’t be answered here, be sure they ask their surgeon as soon as possible.