Even when the scar has healed, there is still healing going on deep inside. This healing process creates heat, which can be felt on the surface and may continue for up to six months. This is a different type of warmth to that of an infection.

Signs of Infection

• Increased swelling, redness and warmth at incision site
• Change in colour, amount, and odour of fluid discharge
• Increased pain in hip
• A high temperature

This information is an extract from ‘A patient’s guide to total hip replacement’, a document created to enhance our patients' recovery after a hip replacement. The complete document is available to download here.