Total hip replacement alleviates severe hip pain and restores function. This intervention improves quality of life by reducing discomfort and enhancing mobility. While highly successful, maintaining the new joint’s longevity and safety requires specific, permanent precautions. These guidelines ensure continued success.
Key Movements to Avoid Permanently
After a total hip replacement, certain movements must be permanently avoided or performed with extreme caution to prevent complications such as dislocation or accelerated wear on the prosthetic joint. Dislocation occurs when the ball of the artificial hip comes out of its socket, which can be painful. The hip joint is most vulnerable to dislocation in specific positions.
One such position involves extreme hip flexion, where the hip bends more than 90 degrees. This deep bending can lever the femoral head out of the acetabular cup. Actions like bending over to tie shoes, picking up objects from the floor, or sitting in very low chairs or toilets can cause this extreme flexion. Patients are advised to keep their knees lower than their hips when seated and to use assistive devices, such as long-handled reachers, to avoid bending deeply at the hip.
Another movement to permanently restrict is adduction past the midline, bringing the leg across the body. This motion can put stress on the hip joint, particularly if combined with internal rotation. Crossing the legs, whether at the knees or ankles, is a common activity that involves adduction past the midline and should be avoided. Using an abduction pillow or wedge between the knees while sleeping can help maintain proper alignment and prevent accidental adduction.
Internal rotation of the hip, where the knee and foot turn inward, especially when the hip is also flexed, can also increase the risk of dislocation. Twisting the body while standing or sitting, or pivoting on the operated leg, combines internal rotation with other risky movements. Instead, individuals should turn their entire body, moving their feet first, rather than twisting at the waist. These precautions are essential for protecting the integrity of the artificial hip joint.
High-Impact Activities to Steer Clear Of
Beyond specific movements, certain high-impact activities and sports are generally not recommended after hip replacement due to the significant stress they place on the implant and surrounding bone. These activities can lead to premature wear of the prosthetic components, loosening of the implant from the bone, or even periprosthetic fractures. Implant materials are designed for durability but have limits to the repetitive forces they can withstand.
Activities involving jumping, such as basketball or volleyball, create considerable impact forces that transmit directly through the hip joint. Similarly, running and jogging subject the hip to repetitive, high-stress loading that can accelerate the wear of the polyethylene liner within the joint. Over time, this wear can lead to bone loss around the implant and subsequent loosening.
Contact sports, like football or rugby, carry a high risk of falls and direct trauma to the hip, which could result in serious damage to the implant or surrounding bone. Even non-contact activities that involve sudden twisting, pivoting, or rapid changes in direction, such as tennis or skiing, can generate forces that may compromise the stability of the artificial joint. Heavy lifting, especially with improper body mechanics, also places excessive strain on the hip and should be minimized or performed with caution.
Daily Habits for Hip Protection
Integrating specific daily habits protects the new hip joint over the long term. Avoiding falls is a primary concern, as a fall can cause significant damage to the prosthetic hip. Maintaining clear pathways at home, using good lighting, and wearing supportive footwear can help reduce the risk of falling.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is another important habit. Excess body weight increases the load on the hip joint, contributing to accelerated wear. Proper seating choices also contribute to hip protection; avoiding low chairs, sofas, and toilets helps maintain the hip’s safe angle and prevents excessive flexion. Using elevated toilet seats and chair cushions can make daily activities safer.
Being mindful of body mechanics during everyday tasks is also crucial. This includes using long-handled assistive devices for reaching, dressing, and bathing to avoid bending or twisting at the hip. When turning, moving the feet first and turning the entire body rather than twisting at the waist protects the joint from harmful rotational forces. These ongoing lifestyle adjustments contribute significantly to the long-term success and durability of a hip replacement.