Post-op Instructions for Hip Arthroscopy These instructions are to

Post-op Instructions for Hip Arthroscopy

These instructions are to compliment the information given by the nursing staff and physical therapists. They cover many of the

common questions.

Wound Care

• Dressings are to be kept clean and dry. A small amount of clear drainage or bleeding is normal. You may remove the

dressings on your hip on the second or third day following surgery. Please keep your steri-strips/sutures intact. You

should cover them with 4x4 gauze pads and secure them with tape.

• You may get the incision wet when showering 3 days after surgery. The shower should be brief and the wounds patted

dry with a clean towel. No baths or soaking the incision until 3 weeks after surgery and scabs are absent.

• If purulent drainage (thick white or greenish in color) is coming from the wound, or the wound has increasing redness,

or if you are having a temperature of 101 or higher, please report these symptoms to your surgeon or the doctor on call.

• Never, ever remove your own stitches or trim what may appear to be excess suture material. We will remove your

stitches in the office at your post-op appointment. If you are concerned about your stitches or if they are bothering you,

please call us.

Pain and Swelling

• Ice your hip as frequently as possible with the cooling device or an ice pack. Do not place ice or the cooling device

directly on the skin as it may damage the skin. This should be done for 20 minutes 4-5 times per day. This will

help with the pain and swelling. Icing the hip is very important the first couple of weeks following surgery.

• Narcotic pain medication will be prescribed for use after you leave the hospital. Try to wean down as tolerated. These

medications can cause constipation and you may want to use an over the counter stool softener. Tylenol products may

be used instead of the prescribed pain medication. The prescribed narcotic medications should not be taken at the

same time as plain Tylenol. If a refill of medication is needed, please call the office during regular business hours,

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In general, refills will not be made after hours, so please plan ahead.

• Naproxen will be prescribed twice daily for a period of one month. While this can help with pain, its primary purpose is

to prevent the formation of extra bone growth following surgery (called heterotopic ossification).

• Swelling throughout the entire leg is common after surgery to some degree. To reduce swelling, elevation is very

helpful. Elevate the toes above the heart level (“toes above the nose”) for 30 minutes every 2 hours for the first 2-5

days after surgery. Moving your ankles up and down on a regular basis helps circulate blood from your legs to help

reduce swelling. Excessive pain and swelling should be reported to your surgeon.

Driving

To drive you must no longer be taking narcotic pain pills. Also, you must feel strong and alert. Most people are able to

start driving 1-2 weeks after surgery, but use your judgment as to when you feel ready and safe to drive.

Weight-Bearing

• Crutches are required following surgery. You should place only 25% of your weight on the surgical side right away and

advance to 50% after one week. Your physical therapist will work with you to teach you how much weight is safe.

Exercises

• Range-of–motion exercises of the hip should begin as soon as possible after surgery, and should be done 4-5 times per

day for the first week.

• A CPM, or a continuous passive motion device, will be prescribed for most arthroscopic hip procedures. The machine

will be set to flex your hip up to 40-60 degrees. The amount of flexion does not need to be increased. Immediately after

surgery while you are resting, the CPM is to be used three times daily with sessions lasting up to two hours. As your

mobility increases, the CPM use can be reduced.

• Other exercises will be specified on the hip arthroscopy rehab protocol sheet and should be done as directed by your

therapist and Dr. Carlson.

• Return to work is variable depending on the type of employment, and should be discussed with Dr. Carlson at your clinic

appointment.

Follow-up

Make sure an appointment has been scheduled for you to see Dr. Carlson at Chippewa Valley Orthopedics & Sports

Medicine for approximately 2 weeks after surgery.

Brent D. Carlson, M.D.

Chippewa Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

(715) 832-1400

Revised 2017