Joint Replacement Recovery: Incision CareWhile you are healing from joint replacement surgery, you need to properly care for your incision. The painfrom your incision will decrease as you heal, but it will take about six to eight weeks for the area to completelyheal, so be patient. Follow this checklist to make sure you are healing safely after surgery.DO: Keep your incision dry and covered with a light bandage. Your healthcare provider will let you know whenyou are able to shower. Swelling is common after your surgery.DO: Ice the incision regularly to keep the swelling down.DO: Check your incision each day for signs of infection. Signs of infection include increased drainage, redness,pain, odor, or heat around the incision, and a temperature above 100.4 degrees. If you have any of thesesymptoms, call your healthcare provider.Do Not: Touch the incision directly until it is healed. Only change your bandages if your doctor recommends it.Do Not: Apply any lotions or powders to the area until your incision is completely healed. Do Not: Soak yourincision area in a bath or swimming pool until your healthcare provider says it is okay -- usually about 4 weeksafter surgery.Proper incision care is key to a healthy recovery. Follow this checklist to make sure you are healing properly athome.
Joint Replacement Recovery: Sample Hip Exercise Routine: Standing Heel Raises
Watch this video to learn how to do standing heel raises, an exercise which will strengthen the muscles around your hip and knees, before and after joint replacement surgery.
Arrange to have an adult drive you home after surgery. If you had general anesthesia, it may take a day or more to fully recover. So, for at least the next 24 hours: Do not drive or use machinery or power tools; do not drink alcohol; and do not make any major decisions.
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