
What are the best exercises to do after hip replacement surgery?
Ankle Pumps. Slowly push your foot up and down. Repeat this exercise several times, as often as every 5 or 10 minutes. Begin this exercise immediately after surgery and continue it until you are fully recovered.
What is the timeline of recovery after hip replacement?
- You'll check in several hours before your scheduled surgery. ...
- The procedure will probably last about 2 to 3 hours.
- Recovery from anesthesia will probably take about 2 hours.
- Once you're fully awake, you'll go to your hospital room.
- You will likely stick to a liquid diet for the rest of the day.
When you can bend over 90 degrees after hip replacement?
They must, therefore, ensure not to even try conducting these activities as it can hamper their recovery or damage/dislocate the hip implant. Bend beyond 90 degrees: It may sound painful as is, but bending at the waist beyond 90 degrees is completely a no-no for hip replacement patients.
How long does it take to recover from a hip replacement?
It may take some patients up to 6 months to completely recover following a hip replacement. By David Conrad, MD, ThedaCare Orthopedic Care

Are there permanent restrictions after hip replacement?
That's right, no restrictions. After an anterior hip replacement you can do anything you want to.
How long do you have to be careful after hip replacement?
You need to remain under total hip precautions for about 12 weeks. During this period, don't turn your toes in or out. Avoid crossing your legs as well. Make sure you keep all your follow-up appointments and ask your surgeon to tell you when you're free to bend beyond 90 degrees or bend down to pick things up.
What can you not do after hip replacement?
Some common things to avoid after hip replacement surgery include:Don't resist getting up and moving around. ... Don't bend at the waist more than 90 degrees. ... Don't lift your knees up past your hips. ... Don't cross your legs. ... Don't twist or pivot at the hip. ... Don't rotate your feet too far inward or outward.More items...•
How long do you maintain hip precautions after surgery?
Hip precautions are a common component of standard postoperative care following total hip replacement surgery Depending on individual health and mobility a prior surgery, one may need to maintain these precautions for 60-90 days and some as far as 6 months.
Can you overdo walking after hip replacement?
It is important to gradually increase your out-of-home activity during the first few weeks after surgery. If you do too much activity, your hip may become more swollen and painful.
When can I sit on sofa after hip replacement?
Try to sit in a straight back chair (avoid low sofas, recliners, or zero-gravity chairs) for the first 6 weeks. Do NOT sleep in a recliner.
How long after hip replacement is there a risk of dislocation?
After primary THA, patients are most likely to dislocate during the first 6 weeks to 8 weeks following surgery when the soft tissues are still healing, according to A.
What is the fastest way to recover from a hip replacement?
7 practical tips for successful hip replacement recoveryPrepare your home in advance. ... Plan for some time off work. ... Balance rest and recovery with gentle exercise. ... Think about your nutrition to help speed up recovery. ... Be mindful of your hip when in bed. ... Think about your holidays and travel plans.More items...
What is the best exercise after total hip replacement?
Walking. Walking is the best exercise for a healthy recovery, because walking will help you recover hip movement. Initially, the use of a walker or crutches will help to prevent blood clots and strengthen your muscles which will improve hip movement.
Will I be able to cut my own toenails after hip replacement?
How will I cut my toenails after surgery? Prior to surgery, it is recommended you trim your toenails. After surgery you may have movement restrictions that will prevent you from bending forward to touch your toes. If a family member or friend is unable to assist you, there are various foot care services available.
When can you put full weight on leg after hip replacement?
Instructions after first postop visit (6-8 weeks after surgery): You should now be comfortable in walking with a cane or nothing at all, placing full weight on the operated leg. At this point, if you haven't already done so, you may wean to using 1 crutch or cane in the opposite hand/arm.
How far should I walk each day after hip replacement?
Generally, I advise patients to walk only a few hundred yards a day total until they get to around six weeks. By that point, the implants are ingrown with bone, meaning that the bone is fused to the implant.
When can I sleep on my non operated side after hip replacement?
It's best to avoid sleeping on your affected side for at least six weeks. After your doctor gives you the go-ahead, listen to your body, and only lie on your operative side when you feel comfortable.
How do you prevent blood clots after hip surgery?
Prevention and Treatment of Blood Clots after Hip and Knee Replacement SurgeryExercise/physical therapy beginning the first day after surgery and continuing for several months.Compression stockings.Anti-clotting medicine to reduce the body's ability to form blood clots.
How far can I walk 3 weeks after hip replacement?
This can happen when patients do too much walking and stress the implants prior to the ingrowth process. Generally, I advise patients to walk only a few hundred yards a day total until they get to around six weeks. By that point, the implants are ingrown with bone, meaning that the bone is fused to the implant.
Why Follow Hip Precautions?
Hip precautions are needed to prevent dislocation of your new hip while it heals. The joint capsule helps keep the ball portion centered into the s...
How Your Hip Can Dislocate
Let’s look at a couple of examples of how your hip can dislocate. You’ll have to use your imagination a little—but imagining it will help you under...
Hip Precautions While Standing Or Walking
1. Don’t cross your legs or ankles at any time! 2. Don’t let the knee of your affected leg go past your belly button. 3. Don’t extend your affected...
Hip Precautions While Sitting
1. Don’t cross your legs at any time! 2. Don’t sit where your hips are at the same level or lower than your knees. 3. Don’t lean forward when movin...
Hip Precautions While Lying Down
1. Don’t cross your legs at any time! 2. Don’t pull your knees towards your chest. 3. Don’t let the toes of your affected leg turn inward. 4. Don’t...
Hip Precautions During Activities of Daily Living
Restrictions on your movement have an effect on your daily activities and how you do them. These are changes that can help you manage these new lim...
Questions About Hip Precautions
Q. Is it OK to have a baby after having a hip replacement?A. In general, it is OK to have a baby after having a hip replacement. You should talk wi...
Take Care of Your New Hip Joint
It’s very important that you take care of yourself by following hip precautions after joint replacement for as long as your doctor tells you to. Ig...
More Articles About Hip Replacement
The information presented here—in timeline order—can help you learn what to expect when having a hip replacement from planning through recovery. 1....
What precautions are required for hip replacement?
Depending on the incision of your hip replacement, you will be discharged home from the hospital with several precautions as ordered by your doctor including weight-bearing precautions and range-of-motion precautions:
What to do if hip incision goes through back of hip?
Posterior approach: If the incision goes through the back of the hip, then the precautions will include no bending over past 90 degrees, no pivoting on the feet, no crossing legs, avoid stepping backwards, and keep your toes pointed forward while walking.
What is an anterior approach to hip surgery?
Anterior approach: This involves an incision into the front of the hip and precautions typically include no crossing of the legs, no walking backwards, avoid turning the hip outwards (pointing your toe out).
How much weight can you put down after leg surgery?
Weight-bearing precautions: Your doctor will let you know how much weight he/she expects you to put through your operative leg after surgery. Typically, if the surgery goes well, you will be able to put down as much weight as you can tolerate (WBAT-weight-bearing as tolerated).
How to get a healthy posture?
Sit on chairs that encourage a healthy sitting posture and that are slightly elevated . Your feet should be tip-toeing the floor and your hips bent less than 90 degrees.
What are some household management tasks that you can do after you leave the hospital?
This includes house management tasks like vacuuming, lifting heavy laundry bins, mopping the floor, driving, grocery shopping, shoveling the driveway, babysitting young children, etc.
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How long do you have to take precautions after hip replacement?
Hip precautions are a common component of standard postoperative care following total hip replacement surgery Depending on individual health and mobility a prior surgery, one may need to maintain these precautions for 60-90 days and some as far as 6 months. The hip precautions below mainly apply to the posterior or posterior lateral hip replacement ...
When sitting or standing from a chair, bed or toilet, must you extend your operated leg in front of you?
When sitting or standing from a chair, bed or toilet you must extend your operated leg in front of you.
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Can you bear weight on an operated hip?
Do not bear over the amount of weight your doctor or physical therapist tells you to bear on the operated hip
Can you step backwards with a surgical leg?
Do not step backwards with surgical leg. No hip extension.
Is hip precautions harmful?
A 2017 study reported that routine use of hip precautions in the primary setting appears unnecessary and potentially detrimental.
How to keep hips from dislocating?
Try to keep your hip within the safe positions while it heals. Some leg and foot movements may increase the risk of dislocating your hip. Try to avoid those positions.
What is hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery replaces the worn parts of your hip joint. You will need to be careful to protect your new joint after hip replacement surgery. Along with doing your physical therapy exercises, there are many things you can do to help your hip heal. Your recovery may be faster if you follow these precautions.
How far apart should you sit in the car?
When you get into a car, back up to the seat of the car, and then sit and slide across the seat toward the middle of the car with your knees about 12 inches apart. A plastic bag on the seat can help you slide in and out of the car. Don't cross your legs when you sit. Don't cross your ankles while lying down.
How do you know if you have a dislocated hip?
You have signs that your hip may be dislocated, including: Severe pain and not being able to stand. A crooked leg that looks like your hip is out of position. Not being able to bend or straighten your leg. Your leg or foot turns cold or changes color. You have tingling, weakness, or numbness in your leg or foot.
What is follow up care?
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
How to care for hip replacement?
You have an important role in caring for your “new” hip: 1 Do use crutches or a walker to assist with walking; be safe, falls can be disastrous 2 Do use pillows between your legs or under your knee on the side of your new hip replacement in bed to keep your operated leg out to the side 3 Do continue to wear your TED stockings. A second pair can be provided for you at the time of your discharge so you have a pair to wear while washing the other pair 4 Do continue the exercises that you have been instructed in by the physical therapist 5 Do use assistive devices to put on shoes and socks 6 Do use an elevated toilet seat or bedside commode.You may purchase one from a local medical supply store or possibly borrow one through your local community organizations 7 Do avoid constipation. While you are taking narcotics, you may need to take a stool softener and a laxative
How to keep hip out of bed after hip replacement?
Do use pillows between your legs or under your knee on the side of your new hip replacement in bed to keep your operated leg out to the side. Do continue to wear your TED stockings. A second pair can be provided for you at the time of your discharge so you have a pair to wear while washing the other pair. Do continue the exercises that you have ...
How to stop a swollen hip?
Do not overdo it; plan your activities with frequent rest periods. Do not bend your hip more than ninety degrees; do not sit in low or overstuffed sofas and chairs; do not sit in bucket seats in cars; do not pick up items from the floor – use a grabbing device. Do not cross your legs.
What to do if you are taking narcotics?
While you are taking narcotics, you may need to take a stool softener and a laxative. There are certain movements that place stress on your new hip and should be avoided until you are instructed to do otherwise by your doctor: Do not overdo it; plan your activities with frequent rest periods.
How far should you bend your hip after a hip replacement?
It is important not to bend your hip up more than 90 degrees while recovering from a total hip replacement. 2 In general, if your knee is below your hip joint, you are in a safe position. Problems can occur with deep-cushioned seats or low seats such as a toilet.
What is posterior hip surgery?
Most hip replacements are performed with what is called a posterior approach. In order to prevent the chance of a hip replacement dislocation after a posterior approach, certain positions should be avoided. These positions place the hip in a position where dislocation is more likely after surgery. These restrictions are known as posterior hip precautions.
What is hip replacement surgery?
Jonathan Cluett, MD. Updated on June 23, 2020. Hip replacement surgery is a treatment for severe arthritis of the hip joint. Patients who commit to hip replacement surgery must understand that there are some changes they will have to adapt to for the rest of their life.
Why is it important to discuss with your surgeon about your situation?
It is important that you discuss with your surgeon the specific recommendations for your situation as there may be reasons why you need more (or less) restrictive precautions.
Can a hip replacement be put back in place?
A hip with a replacement implant may not be as stable as a normal hip joint. If a dislocation of the hip replacement occurs, the hip implant must be put back in place. This can usually be done in the emergency room but may require additional surgery.
Can hip replacement dislocations damage implants?
Furthermore, hip replacement dislocations can damage the implant and decrease the chances of success after hip replacement surgery. As hip replacement implants have changed over time, and as surgical procedures have been developed and refined, the precautions after hip replacement surgery have also changed.
Can a hip replacement dislocate?
This means that it is possible for the ball of the ball-and-socket hip replacement to dislocate.
Why do you need physical therapy after hip replacement?
Participating in physical therapy after hip replacement surgery helps improve blood flow and build muscle strength. It also helps you to begin moving safely.
How long does it take to recover from hip replacement surgery?
The AAOS reports that most people will be able to resume most light activities of daily living independently within 3 to 6 weeks. Let’s take a closer look at the general timeline for recovery after hip replacement surgery.
How to make your hip recovery easier?
Some steps you can take that may make your recovery easier, include: Strengthen the muscles around your hip. A physical therapy program will help with this. Put a support system in place. Arrange to have help when you come home from the hospital or make plans for a stay at a rehabilitation center.
What is hip replacement surgery?
Total hip replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, involves removing a damaged ball-and-socket hip joint and replacing it with an artificial hip joint made out of metal or durable synthetic materials.
How many hip replacements are performed annually?
This number is expected to reach 635,000 surgeries annually by 2030.
How long does it take for a hip to heal after hip replacement?
Although you’ll likely be functioning well 4 to 6 months after your surgery, weakness in the muscles surrounding your hip may persist for up to 2 years.
What to do if you have a blood clot in your leg?
You may also be given a blood thinner and have compression stockings put on your legs to prevent blood clots. Once the anesthesia wears off, you’ll be taken to your hospital room. Once you’re fully awake and alert, you’ll be encouraged to sit up and walk, with the help of a physical therapist.
How long after hip replacement surgery before dislocation?
Over my career, I have seen several posterior approach total hip replacement dislocations, some as many as 20 years after surgery before they experienced their first dislocation.
How long after a hip replacement can you drive?
What are the non-range-of-motion precautions for ALL total hip replacement procedures? No driving for 2 weeks after a left total hip replacement. No driving for 3 weeks after a right total hip replacement. No driving until the patient is off all opioids. No dental work for 3 months.
What are the range-of-motion precautions for Anterior total hip surgical approach?
No extreme hip extension combined with external rotation such as kneeling on the operated leg with foot turned in, then moving body weight forward onto the opposite foot.
What is the lateral approach to hip replacement?
The lateral approach to hip replacement, like the posterior approach, cuts the joint capsule in the posterior of the hip and the surgeon dislocates the femoral head through that incision to expose the femoral head and acetabular socket for preparation to receive the replacement components .
How is the hip dislocated?
The hip is dislocated through this posterior incision in the joint capsule by the surgeon taking the patient’s leg into flexion, internal rotation (pigeon-toe), and adduction (across mid-line of the body) to expose the femoral head and acetabular (hip) socket for preparation to receive the replacement components.
What is the position of the leg when the surgeon dislocates the femoral head?
This is the position the surgeon places the leg in when they are dislocating the femoral head from the acetabular socket (hip socket), which they do to be able to remove the femoral head and prepare the acetabulum to receive the socket component of the total hip replacement surgery.
How long does it take for a hip capsule to heal?
The first 6 weeks are critical to maintaining these range of motion restrictions and these restrictions will remain precautionary for the rest of life. After 6 weeks the capsule is usually well-healed but 12 weeks is usually considered the time frame for the hip capsule to fully heal.
How Long Do You Have to Follow Hip Precautions?
You need to remain under total hip precautions for about 12 weeks. During this period, don’t turn your toes in or out. Avoid crossing your legs as well. Make sure you keep all your follow-up appointments and ask your surgeon to tell you when you’re free to bend beyond 90 degrees or bend down to pick things up.
How long can you drive after hip surgery?
If your surgery was on the right hip, stay away from driving for four weeks. Then, you may resume driving when you feel comfortable. If the surgery was done on the left hip, you can return to your driving when you feel comfortable as long as you have a car with an automatic transmission.
When Can You Bend Past 90 Degrees After Hip Replacement?
You should not bend your hip beyond 60 to 90 degrees for the first six to 12 weeks after surgery. Do not cross your legs or ankles, either. It’s best to avoid bending to pick things up during this period.
How far can you bend after hip replacement?
When You Can Bend Over 90 Degrees After Hip Replacement. Hip replacement surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon to remove a hip joint with arthritis. The old joint gets replaced with an artificial joint, so the patient can enjoy lasting relief.
How long does it take for a patient to recover from a syringe surgery?
Patients heal from surgery at different speeds. Typically, you’ll get asked to use crutches or a walker for about three weeks. Then, you can use a cane outdoors and walk without any support when you are indoors. After that, you’ll be allowed to return to normal activities such as running after about three months.
How long do you have to wait to work after a sedentary job?
If your work involves a lot of movement, you may need to wait for at least three months before you resume full duties.
What can I do after a syringe?
Which Activities Can I Do After Surgery? You can return to activities such as gardening, walking, dancing and even sports such as golf. Some other activities that will help strengthen your limbs include swimming and riding a stationary bike. Avoid high impact activities, such as jumping or running.
