Hip surgery is a common and effective way to fix a hip joint that’s worn out. During the surgery, doctors replace the damaged hip with a new one, usually made of metal. This surgery is often done for people with arthritis, dysplasia, or other hip injuries.
A new hip joint can last 15-20 years and can help you move better and feel less pain. But to heal well and avoid problems, you need to follow some important rules. Here is what not to do after hip replacement surgery:
1. Don’t Cross Your Legs
After hip surgery, the tendons, ligaments, and muscles around the joint will be stretched and a little weaker. The main goal of physiotherapy is to get the strength and mobility back as soon as possible whilst allowing the body to recover.
During the first 6 to 8 weeks, don’t cross your legs, especially the operated one over the non-operated one, as this can lead to a dislocated hip.
2. Don’t Twist or Bend at the Hip beyond 90 Degrees
Again, after surgery, your body is still recovering. During the first 6-8 weeks, try to avoid flexing the hip beyond 90 degrees.
This will make it a bit difficult to put on shoes, so you may want to make sure you have a shoe horn handy or someone to help you get your slippers on. Another useful device is a grabber stick to help you pick up items if you drop them on the floor.
3. Don’t Turn Your Feet in or out Past 15 Degrees
In the first 4-8 weeks, you’re not going to be very mobile. Try to keep your toes facing in front of you as much as possible whilst you build strength to prevent dislocation.
4. Don’t Lift Your Knees Too High
Avoid lifting your knees above the level of your hips. This is a less common movement but important to remember when you’re getting in and out of bed.
5. Don’t Forget to Move Around
Whilst your body is recovering, it’s also important to keep mobile, make sure you do all your therapy exercises, and keep walking around heel-toe. After the initial wound has healed (around 3-4 weeks), one of the best things you can do is take a trip to the local swimming pool (most have a lift or a shallow walk-in area).
Once you’re in water around waist to chest height, practice walking normally, heel to toe. The water takes some of the weight off the hip which is great for recovery and will also keep the blood clots away.
6. Don’t Drive Too Soon
After your surgery, it’s best to only resume driving when you’re ready. Most of this will be done after the initial 6 weeks, but some patients are ready earlier or later. Make sure you let your friends/family/carers know about the operation so they can help you out with some trips to the grocery store!
7. Don’t Lift Heavy Objects
After your hip surgery, it’s best to take it easy for a few weeks to allow your body to fully recover. The hip is a major joint, and this will take time. Although we want to be independent, many struggle to let others do stuff for them and avoid lifting heavy bags and items.
If you can, have a friend or family member with you when the groceries arrive, or sometimes if you leave a note on the grocery store website when you checkout, the delivery men can help you get the bags inside.
What to Do After Hip Surgery?
We’ve covered what to avoid, but what should you do after hip surgery? Here are a few tips and tricks:
Eat Well and Rest
Nutrition plays a vital role in recovery. Vitamin C and protein are used by the body to repair cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, so make sure you eat meat or other protein and eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Sleep is also very important.
Preparing Your Home for Recovery
To help with your recovery, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Make sure to arrange your living space by moving obstacles out of the way in order to make your house wheelchair and crutch-friendly. If your house has stairs, try to have your bed on the ground floor so you won’t have to navigate this post-surgery.
Remove rugs that could cause you to trip, and if possible, get some grab bars and a seat installed in the shower. Try to make sure everything you’ll need in the first 6 weeks is within reach between knee and shoulder height.
Importance of Rehabilitation
Doing your therapy exercises is important to build strength and mobility in the right muscles supporting your hip. Make sure you have a printout of your exercises. It’s a good idea to print this off in large and post it on the wall next to the bed or have a copy on a clipboard close to the bed.
Final Thoughts
Getting a hip replacement can really help your quality of life; however, it can take a while to recover, and it’s important to plan ahead to make sure this goes well!
