Minimally invasive hip replacement: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for chest pain, sudden trouble breathing, coughing up blood, fainting, or sudden severe hip pain with an obvious deformity.
Do not try to force a possibly dislocated hip back into place.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your surgical team promptly for:
Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from the wound
Fever or feeling increasingly unwell
Pain that is becoming worse instead of gradually improving
New calf pain or one-sided leg swelling
New numbness, weakness, or a cold or unusually pale foot
A fall or sudden hip pain that makes weight-bearing difficult
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Questions about dressings, exercises, medicines, or a slow but steady recovery can usually wait for routine contact or a scheduled follow-up appointment.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Minimally invasive hip replacement. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.