Total hip replacement at Northumbria Healthcare

What is a total hip replacement?

A total hip replacement is an operation.

It helps fix a sore hip.

Doctors take out the old hip joint.

Then, they put in a new, man-made joint.

Here are tips to help understand:

• Look at pictures of the hip joint. They can help!
• Ask a doctor to explain what happens in the surgery.
• Watch videos made for kids about hip surgery.

Who should get a new hip?

How long does hip replacement surgery take?

Hip replacement surgery is an operation to change a hip joint. It can help if the hip hurts a lot. The surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.

If you want help understanding this, you can:

• Ask someone to read it with you.
• Use pictures to understand better.
• Watch a simple video about it.

What kinds of hip implants are there?

There are different hip implants doctors use. A hip implant replaces a damaged hip joint. It can help people move better and with less pain.

Here are some common types:

• Metal Hip Implants: These are made of strong metal. They last a long time.
• Plastic Hip Implants: These have parts made of plastic. They are smooth and help the hip move easily.
• Ceramic Hip Implants: These are made of a tough material like pottery. They are very smooth.

If you or someone you know needs a hip implant, talk to your doctor. They can help you choose the right one.

Help to understand more:

• Use pictures and diagrams to see what hip implants look like.
• Ask your doctor questions about the surgery.
• You can ask to bring a friend or family member to talk with the doctor too.

What could go wrong with hip replacement surgery?

How long will I stay in the hospital?

When you go to the hospital, you might want to know how long you will stay. The time can be different for each person. Some people stay for a day, while others may stay longer.

If you want to know more, you can:

• Ask your doctor or nurse. They can tell you what to expect.
• Use pictures or charts to help understand the information.
• Bring a friend or family member to help you ask questions.

When can I start walking after getting a new hip?

You might have surgery to get a new hip. After that, you will want to know when you can start walking.

Most people can start walking the day after their surgery. You will need some help to get up and move around.

A special tool called a walker or crutches can help you walk. It is important to be careful and listen to your doctor or therapist.

They will guide you on how much you can walk each day.

Do I need help to make my body feel better?

When can I go back to work?

How long does it take to get better after hip surgery?

What should I not do after getting a new hip?

If you have a new hip, there are things you should be careful with. Here are some tips:

• Don’t run or jump too much.
• Don’t sit on low chairs. Use a higher chair instead.
• Avoid crossing your legs.

If you need more help, you can use a walking stick or ask someone to help you.

Can I drive after hip surgery?

Did you have a hip operation?

Ask your doctor when you can drive again.

Here are some ideas to help you:

• Wait until your doctor says it is safe.
• Practice in a safe, quiet area first.
• Use a car with an automatic gearbox if you can.

Will I need to take medicine after my surgery?

After your surgery, you might need to take medicine. Medicine can help you feel better and heal faster. It is important to listen to your doctor. They will tell you what medicine to take and how to take it. If you have questions, ask your doctor or nurse for help.

How can I feel better after an operation?

Here are some ways to feel better if you are hurting after an operation:

• Take medicine: The doctor might give you medicine to help stop the pain. Try to take it when they say.
• Rest: Make sure to lie down and relax. Your body needs time to get better.
• Use a cool cloth: Put a cool, wet cloth on the sore part. This can help make it less painful.
• Listen to music: Calm music can help you feel nice and relaxed.
• Tell someone: If it hurts a lot, tell a grown-up or the nurse. They can help you feel better.

These things can make you feel better quicker. Always ask someone if you are unsure about what to do.

Will my new hip make metal detectors beep at airports?

If you have a new hip, it might have metal in it. Sometimes, metal in your body can make airport metal detectors beep.

Here's what you can do to make airport security smooth:

• Tell security staff that you have a new hip.
• You can carry a note from your doctor if you want.

Don't worry, airport staff can help you. They might use a handheld detector or do a quick check. You're not in trouble; they just want to make sure everyone is safe.

What is a total hip replacement?

A total hip replacement is an operation.

It helps fix a sore hip.

Doctors take out the old hip joint.

Then, they put in a new, man-made joint.

Here are tips to help understand:

• Look at pictures of the hip joint. They can help!
• Ask a doctor to explain what happens in the surgery.
• Watch videos made for kids about hip surgery.

Who should get a new hip?

How long does hip replacement surgery take?

Hip replacement surgery is an operation to change a hip joint. It can help if the hip hurts a lot. The surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.

If you want help understanding this, you can:

• Ask someone to read it with you.
• Use pictures to understand better.
• Watch a simple video about it.

What kinds of hip implants are there?

There are different hip implants doctors use. A hip implant replaces a damaged hip joint. It can help people move better and with less pain.

Here are some common types:

• Metal Hip Implants: These are made of strong metal. They last a long time.
• Plastic Hip Implants: These have parts made of plastic. They are smooth and help the hip move easily.
• Ceramic Hip Implants: These are made of a tough material like pottery. They are very smooth.

If you or someone you know needs a hip implant, talk to your doctor. They can help you choose the right one.

Help to understand more:

• Use pictures and diagrams to see what hip implants look like.
• Ask your doctor questions about the surgery.
• You can ask to bring a friend or family member to talk with the doctor too.

What could go wrong with hip replacement surgery?

How long will I stay in the hospital?

When you go to the hospital, you might want to know how long you will stay. The time can be different for each person. Some people stay for a day, while others may stay longer.

If you want to know more, you can:

• Ask your doctor or nurse. They can tell you what to expect.
• Use pictures or charts to help understand the information.
• Bring a friend or family member to help you ask questions.

When can I start walking after getting a new hip?

You might have surgery to get a new hip. After that, you will want to know when you can start walking.

Most people can start walking the day after their surgery. You will need some help to get up and move around.

A special tool called a walker or crutches can help you walk. It is important to be careful and listen to your doctor or therapist.

They will guide you on how much you can walk each day.

Do I need help to make my body feel better?

When can I go back to work?

How long does it take to get better after hip surgery?

What should I not do after getting a new hip?

If you have a new hip, there are things you should be careful with. Here are some tips:

• Don’t run or jump too much.
• Don’t sit on low chairs. Use a higher chair instead.
• Avoid crossing your legs.

If you need more help, you can use a walking stick or ask someone to help you.

Can I drive after hip surgery?

Did you have a hip operation?

Ask your doctor when you can drive again.

Here are some ideas to help you:

• Wait until your doctor says it is safe.
• Practice in a safe, quiet area first.
• Use a car with an automatic gearbox if you can.

Will I need to take medicine after my surgery?

After your surgery, you might need to take medicine. Medicine can help you feel better and heal faster. It is important to listen to your doctor. They will tell you what medicine to take and how to take it. If you have questions, ask your doctor or nurse for help.

How can I feel better after an operation?

Here are some ways to feel better if you are hurting after an operation:

• Take medicine: The doctor might give you medicine to help stop the pain. Try to take it when they say.
• Rest: Make sure to lie down and relax. Your body needs time to get better.
• Use a cool cloth: Put a cool, wet cloth on the sore part. This can help make it less painful.
• Listen to music: Calm music can help you feel nice and relaxed.
• Tell someone: If it hurts a lot, tell a grown-up or the nurse. They can help you feel better.

These things can make you feel better quicker. Always ask someone if you are unsure about what to do.

Will my new hip make metal detectors beep at airports?

If you have a new hip, it might have metal in it. Sometimes, metal in your body can make airport metal detectors beep.

Here's what you can do to make airport security smooth:

• Tell security staff that you have a new hip.
• You can carry a note from your doctor if you want.

Don't worry, airport staff can help you. They might use a handheld detector or do a quick check. You're not in trouble; they just want to make sure everyone is safe.