Most patients are cautious about putting weight on the new joint, but should not be. The usual experience is that it feels like one's own hip but without the pain. After about ten days the stitches or clips are removed. This is normally painless. The patient leaves hospital ten days or so after the operation.
Patients continue to use sticks, and sometimes crutches, according to the directions of the surgeon.
The scar left by a hip replacement operation is usually between six and eight inches in length. It can be behind, to the side or to the front of the hip. There are seldom any complaints about the appearance of the scar. Hospital Diary Day One Enter Hospital Examination, blood tests. Once home, help is needed for at least two or three weeks with basic things like cleaning and shopping.