Going home after your operation
When your healthcare team are happy that you’re ready to leave, you’ll be able to contact your family or friends to collect you.
Please make sure someone is available to take you home, as you won’t be able to drive or use public transport on your own after surgery.
What to expect when you get home
Swelling and bruising
Some swelling or bruising of your leg is normal after surgery, especially below the site of your hip replacement.
Swelling can increase if you sit for long periods, so try to keep gently active throughout the day.
To help reduce swelling, rest with your leg raised on the bed for about 20 minutes, once or twice a day.
Bruising can sometimes spread down towards your foot — this is also normal and should gradually fade.
If you notice that your leg becomes increasingly swollen, painful, red, or warm, please seek medical advice.
Constipation
Constipation is a common side effect of strong pain relief medicines. You’ll be given a laxative as part of your medication package — please take it regularly as prescribed.
Drinking plenty of water and keeping mobile will also help.
If constipation continues despite this, contact your GP for advice.
Pain
Some pain and discomfort are expected after your operation — this is a normal part of recovery.
It’s important that you don’t stop doing your exercises, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
Follow the pain management plan provided when you were discharged. This will help you stay mobile and make your recovery smoother.
Sleep
It’s very common to experience disturbed sleep for the first few weeks after surgery. This usually improves as your pain and mobility get better.
You can sleep in any position that feels comfortable — including on either side. If you use pillows to support your leg, make sure you can still move freely.
What to look out for
Blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis – DVT)
A blood clot can sometimes develop in the leg after joint replacement surgery.
Please contact a healthcare professional urgently if you notice:
- Pain, heat, or swelling in your calf
- The leg feeling hard or tender
In rare cases, a clot can travel to the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism or PE). If you develop shortness of breath or chest pain, seek urgent medical help.
Infection
Infection after joint replacement surgery is very uncommon, but it’s important to be aware of the signs.
Please contact a healthcare professional if your wound or joint becomes:
- Hot, red, or increasingly swollen
- Painful or leaking fluid
- Or if you feel generally unwell or feverish
Support after discharge
Before you go home, the ward team will explain your follow-up arrangements and who to contact for advice.
You’ll receive a routine follow-up call the day after discharge to check how you’re getting on and to answer any early questions.
If you need advice in the first week after going home, please contact:
Aberconwy Ward, NWSC on {insert number} – a nurse will be able to help you directly or contact your surgical team.
For therapy-related questions, please contact {insert therapy number}.
Patients from the Wrexham Maelor area can contact the Aftercare District Nursing Team on {insert number} (open Monday–Friday, 08:30–16:30).
If you’re unable to reach the NWSC team, please contact your consultant’s base hospital and ask to speak to their secretary, who can arrange for someone from your surgical team to get in touch.