Bending to put on socks is a common concern for individuals recovering from hip replacement surgery. This task involves movements that can place stress on the healing hip joint, making it a frequently asked question. Safely navigating daily activities after surgery is a key part of recovery.
Understanding Hip Precautions and Dislocation Risk
After hip replacement, specific movement restrictions, known as hip precautions, help the new joint heal and prevent dislocation. Dislocation occurs when the ball of the artificial hip comes out of its socket. While uncommon, it can cause pain and limit mobility. The risk of dislocation is highest in the first three months following surgery.
The muscles and tissues surrounding the new hip need time to heal and strengthen. The primary movements restricted are deep hip flexion, internal rotation, and adduction. Deep hip flexion involves bending the hip more than 90 degrees. Internal rotation means turning the leg inward, while adduction refers to crossing the legs past the midline. These combined movements can put the hip in a vulnerable position, increasing the risk of dislocation.
When You Can Safely Bend
The timeline for safely resuming bending activities, such as putting on socks, varies significantly among individuals. This variation depends on the specific surgical approach, overall health, physical therapy adherence, and the surgeon’s personalized instructions. Always prioritize advice from your medical team.
For posterior or posterolateral hip replacement, strict hip precautions are typically recommended for 6 to 12 weeks. These usually include avoiding hip flexion beyond 90 degrees, crossing the legs, and internally rotating the hip. Bending to put on socks is a restricted movement during this initial recovery period.
In contrast, anterior hip replacement often has fewer or no hip precautions. This is because the anterior approach typically avoids cutting major muscles and soft tissues, leading to greater stability and a faster recovery. Some surgeons may allow anterior approach patients to bend beyond 90 degrees much sooner, even from day one. Regardless of the approach, muscle strength, tissue healing, and consistent physical therapy contribute to when a patient can safely resume activities.
Adaptive Strategies for Daily Activities
During the period when bending is restricted, various adaptive strategies and equipment can help individuals perform daily tasks like putting on socks without compromising hip precautions. These tools are designed to extend reach and minimize the need for excessive hip flexion. Using these aids can help maintain independence and safety during recovery.
A sock aid is a commonly recommended device that allows for putting on socks without bending or reaching. This tool typically consists of a rigid or flexible trough onto which the sock is loaded. The aid is then lowered to the floor using long straps or handles, allowing the foot to slide into the sock. Once the foot is in, pulling the straps guides the sock up the leg.
Long-handled reachers are versatile tools that can assist with picking up objects from the floor, including dropped clothing or the sock aid itself, without bending. A long-handled shoehorn is another useful aid for putting on shoes, allowing the patient to slide their foot into footwear without bending significantly. Additionally, elastic shoelaces can convert lace-up shoes into slip-ons, eliminating the need to bend and tie laces. When dressing, it is also advised to sit in a stable chair and dress the operated leg first, then the non-operated leg, reversing the order when undressing.