Hip replacement surgery in Leamington Spa

Why choose Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital for your hip replacement procedure?

If you are suffering from prolonged hip trouble, you may be experiencing the adverse effects of osteoarthritis, a condition which becomes worse as you get older. Thankfully, osteoarthritis can be treated with hip replacement surgery carried out by our team of leading orthopaedic surgeons. Our experts also perform minimally invasive hip replacement surgery. 

Our hip experts have been helping patients across Warwickshire overcome their hip issues for a number of years, providing patents with first-class primary care and a treatment plan individually tailored to the severity of their condition.

How to book an orthopaedic consultation at Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital

If you are considering hip replacement surgery and would like to discuss your treatment options with a professional,  please call our dedicated hospital enquiry team on 01926 436 351 to book an initial consultation with one of our orthopaedic consultants.

Please let the enquiry handler know if you have had any recent X-rays or scans when booking your consultation, as there will be additional charges for any diagnostic imaging required.

Why might you need hip replacement surgery?

• Over time the surfaces on the hip joint can start to wear
• This can be caused by osteoarthritis or a previous injury
• Osteoarthritis is painful as the hip joint becomes stiff and inflamed when the smooth lining between the joints gets damaged or wears away
• Without the protection of this important lining, the rough surfaces of your bones rub together, causing pain
• Everyday tasks like going for a walk or even getting dressed become difficult
• Unfortunately there’s no cure for osteoarthritis and it can get worse with time
• However joints like the hip/s can be replaced successfully, improving your mobility and reducing pain.

During the procedure

• A variety of anaesthetic techniques are used and prior to your operation the anaesthetist will discuss these options with you
• Your surgeon’s choice of prosthesis will be based on several factors such as age, level of activity and current health
• Both cemented and uncemented replacements are used at our Warwickshire Hospital
• If you have concerns be sure and ask your surgeon about his prosthesis choice
• Your surgical wound will be closed with stitches, staples or steri-strips.

After your hip surgery

• Once your operation is over, you’ll be taken to the recovery room until you awake
• Your wound, blood pressure and pulse will be checked carefully
• You will have a large dressing covering your wound
• Let our nurse know if you are in pain
• You may have a small tube coming out of your wound, this is to drain away any excess fluid
• You may also have a drip (infusion) going into your arm
• The trip will keep you hydrated until you are able to drink and can also be used to give you pain relief
• When you are stable and comfortable, a nurse will take you back to your private patient room.

Back in your private room

• Once back in your room, our nurses will continue to check on you
• Try not to touch or disturb your dressings as this can introduce infection
• If you notice any bleeding or are experiencing pain, please speak to one of our nurses
• After you’ve recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic, you are free to have something to eat and drink
• While you are in bed, you may have help with the circulation in your legs, in order to prevent clots (DVT)
• The first day or so you could wear boots on your legs that are inflated with air
• You will also wear support stockings to help your circulation and may have daily injections or tablets to help prevent blood clotting that may continue for up to 6 weeks
• We may encourage you to move your legs if you are able
• You may have some deep breathing exercises to do, to help prevent any chest issues post-surgery
• The day after surgery you will have an X-ray of your new hip to check its position
• Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet.

Getting up for the first time post surgery

• We understand that you may be anxious about getting up for the first time, however we will be available to support and guide you
• The reason for getting you moving is to improve your circulation and avoid stiffness
• You may be feeling tender and sore, but you can get pain relief medication to deal with any discomfort if required
• Once out of bed, you will continue to wear support stockings to help your circulation
• Physiotherapists will work with you during your hospital stay to help give you the best start with your new hip joint.

Going home after your hip replacement procedure

• A physiotherapist will give you some exercises to carry out 
• These are important to help you make a good recovery
• You may require crutches or walker
• When you are able to walk up and down stairs, you will be free to go home
• You won’t be able to drive initially, so you will need someone to collect you from hospital
• It’s usual to return to see your consultant as an outpatient
• You may also need to have stitches removed. You’ll be given information about these appointments before you are discharged
• We’ll also give you some pain relief medication
• When you get home, you will be tired and should rest
• However it’s also important to gradually increase your physical activity each day, (using the exercises our physiotherapist showed you)
• These will help to reduce stiffness and improve strength
• Keep using a walker, crutches or a walking stick until you feel confident
• To help you regain mobility, we recommend that you take any pain relief medication we have prescribed
• Continue taking this until you are pain free.

So you don’t damage your new hip and to help your wound heal, you may be asked to follow a few restrictions for the first six weeks of your recovery:

• Avoid bending your new hip beyond 90 degrees
• Avoid rolling your leg towards the other leg
• Avoid crossing your legs
• Avoid twisting on your new hip when standing
• Use the shower instead of the bath
• Keep wearing your support stockings - you may have to do so for four to six weeks.

Most people make a good recovery and return to normal activities following hip replacement, however as with any surgery there can be complications:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Infection of the surgical site (incision)
• Scarring
• Blood clots (DVT - deep vein thrombosis)
• Difficulty passing urine
• Chest infection
• Heart attack
• Stroke.

Specific complications of hip replacement might include:

• Split in the femur
• Nerve damage around the hip
• Damage to the blood vessels around the hip
• Infection in the hip
• Loosening of the replacement
• Bone forming in muscles around the replacement
• Dislocation
• Leg length difference.