The first days after the operation

After the operation, you leg will be positioned in a special resting splint or on cushions. You will be able to see the wound drainage tubes coming out of the bandages and you may have a urinary catheter. Both tubes will be removed in the first few days after surgery. X-ray monitoring will be carried out, along with blood tests over several days. You will be given painkillers to ease the pains of surgery. A daily injection with an anticoagulant reduces the risk of thromboses or embolisms. As far as possible, you will already be able to stand up and take your first steps on the first or second day following surgery. As soon as you feel secure enough, you will walk unaided on two crutches and be able to cover increasingly longer distances. After-treatment is started in the first few days after the operation with the physiotherapeutic exercise programme. Your physiotherapist will show you what movements you should avoid at the beginning and how much strain you should put on the leg. After 7 to 10 days, you will be discharged back home or to a rehabilitation clinic. The stitches or staples will be removed between the 10th and the 14th day.

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