You are being shown this video because you have started on the pathway toward a hip replacement.
My name is Emily Grimshaw an RN Surgical Coordinator for Orthopedics.
I will walk you through the steps in the pre surgery, surgery, and post-surgery process.
You cannot go through this journey alone.
You must have a support system, and a plan for once you leave the hospital.
This includes transportation to and from the hospital for surgery and follow up appointments.
Med Pre-op Appointments
You will have a pre-op appointment with a medical doctor either at the VA in the pre-op clinic or with your primary care provider.
This appointment may also include ekg, labs and x-ray.
This is for medical clearance to ensure your medically ready for surgery.
Orthopedic Pre-op Appointment
You will review plan for surgery and sign a surgical consent.
You will also schedule post surgery follow up appointments prior to leaving the 2F Clinic
Medication will be ordered called Mupirocin which is a medication that treats any MRSA that may be colonized.
You will apply this medication twice a day for 5 days prior to your surgery to the inside of your nose.
Please pick up this medication from Pharmacy prior to leaving the hospital.
Please make sure to attend all your pre-op appointments
Evening prior to surgery have nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
Follow medication recommendations that were discussed during your medical pre-op appointment.
Follow your skin prep instructions
Refer to your Instructions for Surgery packet for these.
Day of Surgery
Follow medication instructions for morning of surgery.
You will check in at the admissions desk whic is 1S 128 located in the Flag Atrium.
If you use a Cpap at home, please bring your machine.
Please also bring closed toed shoes for physical therapy
and remember to pack any personal items you may want to have while staying in the hospital.
Be prepared to spend up to 3 nights in the hospital.
You will work with physical therapy multiple times a day in preparation to go home.
Be prepared to move, stand, and even walk soon after surgery
After Surgery
Please call the 2F nurse triage line Monday -Friday or the call center with any concerns after surgery.
If it is a medical emergency, please call 911 or seek care in the emergency department.
Blood Clots
Blood Clots can delay recovery and caus e potentially life threatening injuries.
To prevent blood clots you will receive medication, wear compression devices on your feet
called (SCDS) and you will wear thesesat all times when in bed and we all encourage early movement.
Signs and symptoms of blot clots are chest pain, difficulty to breathing, and pain behind the calf.
Pain Control
It is very important to control your pain. You will utilize many options.
such as different types of medication, ice packs, and positioning.
Wound Care
The most common dressing covering your incision is aquacel.
You may shower right after surgery as this dressing is waterproof.
You will keep this Aquacel dressing on your hip for 1 week.
Once the dressing is removed, water may run over the incision.
After showering, make sure to p at dry and cover with gauze and tape.
The most common way to close the incision is staples
Another way to close your hip is dissolvable sutures and surgical glue. Leave this on until it falls off on it's own.
Follow up
You will follow up in clinic at 2 weeks after surgery
to assess your incision and remove any staples as long as there are no concerns with your incision.
You will also follow up 6 weeks after your surgery. You will need to get new x-rays prior to this appointment.
As you continue to watch this video you will learn more about Hip Replacement Surgery and what to expect.