Page 14 - total-hip-packet

NAUSEA is often a side effect of anesthesia and narcotic pain medicine. Nausea medicine is usually given before and
after your surgery. At home, limit your narcotic pain medications if you have nausea. You can also take over-the-counter
nausea medication as needed such as Pepto-Bismol.

ITCHING is a common side effect from anesthesia, the skin cleaners used in surgery, or your surgical adhesive dressing.
We recommend trying over the counter antihistamine medications such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) during the day or
diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at night if you experience this.

SEDATION/SLEEPINESS can be a side effect of anesthesia and pain medicine. Once you are home, stop taking
narcotic pain medication temporarily if you are experiencing sedation or excessive sleepiness.

URINARY RETENTION or having trouble urinating after surgery can occur in patients, especially older men with
prostate issues. This is typically due to anesthesia and pain medications. We may give you some medication in recovery
to help with this. We will try and have you urinate prior to being discharged from the hospital but the vast majority of the
time, your bladder will return to normal in the afternoon or evening on the day of surgery.

CONSTIPATION can occur after surgery due to a change in activity and diet, surgery and anesthesia, and narcotic
pain medications. To help manage constipation at home:
• Limit narcotic pain medications
• Take an over-the-counter the stool softener such as Colace (docusate) or Dulcolax (bisacodyl)
• Walk around to stimulate your bowels
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Increase fiber in the diet. Foods that contain fiber include:
o Whole grain bread/cereals
o Fresh fruits and vegetables
• If the above does not work for you, add over-the-counter MiraLAX®

INFECTION PREVENTION
A devastating complication is an infection in your new joint because it typically requires surgical intervention and many
weeks of IV antibiotics. Luckily, it is rare, but you play a crucial role in helping prevent it.
• Dr. Eccles will give you antibiotics immediately before and then after surgery.
• Care for your incision as instructed. This includes making sure that your incision early on remains dry inside of
your dressing and sealed from the outside environment. When the dressing is removed, leave the incision alone
and continue to shower daily.
• Any infection in your body must be treated immediately to prevent it from traveling to your new joint.
• If you are a patient with diabetes, it is vital to keep your blood sugar under control. Continual high blood-sugar
readings can increase your chances of getting an infection.
• Notify our office immediately if you are concerned you might have an infection. Some warning signs are:
o Persistent drainage from the incision or an odor.
o Increased pain with both activity and rest.
o Increasing redness, reddened streaks, swelling, or tenderness of the surgery site.
o A temperature that lasts over 24 hours and is greater than 101.5 degrees.

13