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FAQs about Anterior Approach

Total Hip Replacement

1. Once I am a candidate for a THA, how do I get a surgery?

After you see Dr. Ziran (602-406-2663 for an appointment) and deemed a candidate for a THA, our office will help you make an appointment with the Zion hospitalist service.  This service will make sure you are healthy for surgery.   

2. I have my own primary care doctor. Can he/she admit me during my hospital stay?

     

Dr. Ziran prefers to use Zion hospitalist services since Zion is well-versed in the post-op care of THA patients. Your primary care doctor is welcome to evaluate you and send his/her records to Zion. 

3. Ok, so I’ve seen Zion and been cleared for surgery. Now what?

You can call our office at 602-406-2663 and speak to Wendy, Dr. Ziran's surgery scheduler, to schedule surgery.

4. How should I prepare for surgery?

Stop all NSAIDs (Alleve, Motrin, ASA) one week before surgery. Stop all blood thinners. All of         this is will be communicated to you by our office. Don’t eat anything after midnite the night before.

5. How long does the surgery take?

The surgery takes 1-2 hours.

6. What can I expect afterwards?

Assuming no complications, you can expect to walk the day of surgery. Sometimes, your                 weight-bearing will be restricted if there is concern for fracture, etc

7. How long will I stay in the hospital?

 Average length of stay is 1-3 days. Most patients go home and not a rehab center, however,            everyone is different. Factors that can help you mobilize quicker: Limit narcotics unless you              need them – they cause constipation, urinary retention, nausea/vomiting and can lengthen your      stay. Dr. Ziran prefers ice, Tylenol, and limited oral narcotics, if necessary. Ice packs can                    significantly help incisional pain over the first 3 days. The bladder catheter will come out post-        op day #1. Ambulate as much as tolerated. With anterior approach, there are no posterior                dislocation precautions – i.e. you can cross your legs, squat, etc. You may have pain with hip            flexion the first couple days. By the 3rd day, much of your pain should start decreasing. Plan to        go home by day #2. If you want to go to rehab, you can choose where you want to go.

8. Should I get PT when I go home?

 It’s not necessary, unless you were very deconditioned pre-operatively. But if you require PT, it is      usually started 2-3 weeks after surgery.

9. When can I shower?

 

 Forty-eight (48) hours after surgery.

10. What can I do after surgery?

 Activities of daily living. Do not do any resistance exercises, jogging, contact sports, surfing,            skiing for 6 weeks – so the bone can bond to the prosthesis.

11. When do I follow-up with Dr. Ziran?

 Three weeks post-op, 6 weeks post-op, and 1 year post-op.  Call to make an appointment.

12. What do I do about my incisional swelling?

 That is normal. You can minimize it by wearing Spandex biker shorts. The scar will remodel for         up to 1-2 years after the surgery. Leg swelling is also normal, and slowly diminishes over time.

13. Can I use scar massage, Vitamin E cream, or silicone gel?

 Starting at six weeks, you can. However, results from these interventions have been equivocal. It      is important to avoid the sun the first 6 weeks.

14. What if I need more pain pills?

For most patients, they do not require pain pills for more than two weeks after surgery.   

15. How long do I take ASA 325 mg BID and Protonix 40 mg qday?

4-weeks post-op

16. How long will this hip last?

We don’t know since these interfaces are relatively new, and the long-term studies are lacking.       However, they are predicted to last 20-30 years+.

© 2024 by Navid Ziran, M.D.  

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