Hip replacement surgery can significantly improve quality of life by reducing pain and restoring mobility. A successful recovery depends on understanding and following post-operative guidelines. Adhering to these precautions helps prevent complications, promotes proper healing, and supports a smoother return to daily activities, ensuring the longevity and function of the new joint.
Movements and Positions to Avoid
Protecting the new hip joint involves avoiding specific movements that can lead to complications such as dislocation. One precaution is to avoid bending the hip beyond 90 degrees, meaning the thigh should not go past parallel to the floor. This deep hip flexion can stress the joint. Actions like putting on shoes or socks, or picking up items from the floor, often involve this bending and require long-handled aids or assistance.
Crossing the legs at the knees or ankles should also be avoided, whether sitting, standing, or lying down, as this increases dislocation risk. When sleeping, lie on your back, or place a pillow between your thighs if on your side to maintain alignment. Limit internal hip rotation, where toes turn inward. When turning, move your entire body as one unit, keeping toes pointed in the same direction as the hip.
Activities to Limit or Postpone
Certain physical activities must be restricted during recovery to protect the healing hip. Avoid heavy lifting, as it strains the tender muscles and joints around the new hip, making them susceptible to injury. Limit strenuous activities to allow for proper rest and healing.
High-impact activities like running, jumping, or sports involving repetitive twisting (e.g., basketball, racquetball) are not recommended. These can cause wear and tear on the prosthetic joint and increase dislocation risk. Regular high-impact movements can damage the prosthesis over time. Driving is often restricted for several weeks due to impaired reaction time and necessary hip movements.
Environmental and Lifestyle Precautions
Modifying your home environment and daily habits helps prevent falls and protect the new hip. Clear pathways of obstacles like throw rugs, cords, or clutter. Rearrange furniture to create wider walking paths, especially when using assistive devices like crutches or a walker.
In the bathroom, install grab bars near the shower and toilet for stability. A shower chair or bench makes bathing safer, and non-slip mats should be used on wet floors. Raised toilet seats help avoid excessive hip flexion. Choose firm chairs with arms that allow hips to be level with or higher than knees, with feet flat on the floor, for proper positioning. Use long-handled reachers to pick up items, avoiding bending.
Signs Requiring Medical Attention
Recognizing and promptly addressing potential complications is part of safe recovery. Seek immediate medical evaluation for sudden, severe, or increasing hip pain after surgery. Unexplained redness, warmth, or swelling around the incision site, especially with discharge or pus, can indicate infection.
Fever, chills, or persistent wound drainage also require prompt medical attention. Calf pain or swelling, particularly if warm or tender, could signal a blood clot. Report any sudden inability to bear weight on the operated leg, or a noticeable difference in leg length, to your healthcare provider without delay.