Total hip arthroplasty, commonly known as hip replacement surgery, is a major procedure often requiring the temporary use of a mobility aid to ensure proper healing. A walker provides the necessary stability and support immediately following surgery, allowing you to begin movement while minimizing stress on the newly implanted joint. Learning the correct way to use this device is paramount for a safe recovery, helping to prevent falls and protect the surgical site from complications like dislocation. This guidance provides the essential steps and precautions for safe, temporary mobility as you recover.
Preparing Your Walker and Home Environment
Adjusting your walker to the correct height is the first step in ensuring safe usage and maximizing support. When standing upright with arms relaxed, the top of the walker handles should align precisely with the crease of your wrist. This height ensures your elbows are slightly bent when gripping the handles, allowing your arms to bear weight and protect your surgical hip.
A two-wheeled or front-rolling walker is often recommended after hip surgery for an easier, smoother gait pattern. The non-wheeled tips on the rear legs provide necessary friction to stabilize the walker before stepping forward. Ensure the rubber tips on all four legs are not worn down, as this compromises traction and increases the risk of a slip.
Preparing your home environment is equally important to prevent falls, which pose a significant risk to the recovering hip. Remove all throw rugs and runners that could catch the walker legs or cause tripping. Secure loose electrical cords alongside walls and ensure all walking paths are well-lit, especially at night, to clearly identify obstacles.
Proper Technique for Walking on Flat Surfaces
The basic gait pattern must follow a strict sequence to maintain stability and protect the surgical hip. Start by advancing the walker approximately one foot in front of you, ensuring all four legs are firmly on the ground before transferring weight. The walker acts as a stable base of support, allowing your arms to absorb some body weight.
Next, move your surgical leg forward, stepping only to the middle of the walker frame. Adhere strictly to the prescribed weight-bearing limit set by your surgeon (toe-touch, partial, or full). Use the walker handles to press down and support your weight, taking pressure off the affected limb as you move it forward.
Finally, step forward with your non-surgical leg, bringing it up to or slightly past the surgical leg inside the walker frame. The proper sequence is “Walker, Affected Leg, Unaffected Leg,” allowing the strong leg to move last and prepare for the next cycle. Maintain an upright posture, look forward, and keep the walker close to your body to prevent leaning or poor balance.
Safe Techniques for Sitting and Standing
Transitional movements, such as sitting to standing, require careful technique to avoid injury to the new hip joint. To stand up, back up until you feel the chair or bed against the back of your non-surgical leg. Slide your surgical leg slightly forward to keep the hip angle open and avoid excessive flexion that can lead to dislocation.
Place the walker in front of you, but never use it to pull yourself upright. Instead, use the armrests of the chair or the edge of the bed to push yourself up. Once fully upright and stable, grasp the walker handles with both hands before attempting movement.
To sit down, reverse this process by backing up until you feel the chair with your legs, keeping the walker close for balance. Slide your surgical leg forward again and reach back for the armrests of the chair with both hands. Slowly lower yourself down, controlling the descent with your arms until fully seated.
Turning while using the walker requires caution, as pivoting puts twisting forces on the healing joint. Use small, shuffling steps to change direction, moving your feet and the walker in minor adjustments. Never pivot or twist your body or feet on the floor.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Signs of Infection and Pain
While discomfort is expected after hip replacement, certain signs require immediate medical consultation. Report a sudden, sharp increase in hip or leg pain that is not relieved by rest or prescribed medication to your surgeon. A fever, chills, or increasing warmth and redness around the surgical incision may signal an infection requiring prompt treatment.
Recognizing Serious Complications
Watch for symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious blood clot. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
- Severe swelling or tenderness in the calf or thigh.
- A feeling of heat in the lower leg.
- Instability, such as the hip joint giving way.
- New clicking or grinding noises from the joint.
Walker Maintenance and Transition
The walker is a temporary aid; your physical therapist will guide the timeline for transitioning to a cane or walking without assistance. Until then, regularly check that all screws and bolts on the walker are tight. Ensure the rubber tips on the legs are intact, as damaged equipment compromises safety and increases fall risk.