Arthritis: Hip Replacement Surgery

What Activities Should I Avoid After Hip Joint Replacement Surgery?

For anywhere from six to 12 months after hip replacement surgery, pivoting or twisting on the involved leg should be avoided. You should also not cross the involved leg past the midline of the body nor turn the involved leg inward and you should not bend at the hip past 90 degrees. This includes both bending forward at the waist and squatting.

Your physical therapist will provide you with techniques and adaptive equipment that will help you follow any of the above guidelines and precautions while performing daily activities. Remember, by not following your therapist's recommendations you could dislocate your newly replaced joint and may require another surgery.

Even after your hip joint has healed, sports or heavy activity should be avoided. The replacement joint is only designed for usual day-to-day activity.

Will I Need to Take Special Measures to Manage at Home After Hip Replacement Surgery?

There are a few simple measures that you can take to make life easier when you return home after hip joint replacement, including:

• Keep stair climbing to a minimum. Make the necessary arrangements so that you will only have to go up and down the steps once or twice a day.
• Sit in a firm, straight-back chair. Recliners should not be used.
• To help avoid falls, remove all throw rugs and keep floors and rooms clutter free.
• Use an elevated toilet seat. This will help keep you from bending too far at the hips
• Keep enthusiastic pets away until you have healed completely.

You should ask your doctor before returning to such activities as driving, sexual activity and exercise.

Is Hip Replacement Surgery Safe?

Hip replacements surgeries have been performed for years and surgical techniques are being improved all the time. As with all surgeries, however, there are risks. Since you will not be able to move around much at first, blood clots are a particular concern. Your doctor will give you blood thinners to help prevent this from occurring. Infection and bleeding also are possible, as are risks associated with using general Anesthesia.

Other less common concerns that you and your doctor must watch out for are:

• Your legs may not be of equal length after the surgery.
• You must be careful not to cross your legs or not to sit too low because the joint may be dislocated.
• Pieces of fat in the bone marrow may become loose, enter the bloodstream and get into the lungs, which can cause very serious breathing problems.
• Nerves in the hip area may be injured from swelling or pressure and can cause some numbness.
• Other bones may be broken during the surgery, which may require a longer hospital stay.
• The replacement parts may become loose or break. (This occurs rarely and takes years to develop.)
• The spinal Anesthesia may not numb the area completely and you may feel some discomfort after surgery.

Talk to your doctor about these risks before undergoing the procedure.

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