1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

90 degrees rule

Posted , 12 users are following.

gerard07656
gerard07656

Hi everyone, im 38 years old and I had a LTHR JUST OVER 3 weeks ago and I am now walking without crutches but with a bit of a limp, I have been advised about the 90 degree rule from my doctors but was hoping someone would be able to shed a bit more light on this for me? My questions are, how long do I have to adhere to this? If I bring my knee up over 90 degrees will this do any other damage or is it just risking dislocation? Hope this makes sense and look forward to hearing from you all

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

Next
  • margot50
    margot50 gerard07656

    Posted

    Gerard, It’s still so early in your recovery that it’s not unusual to have a slight limp. My PT told me to do all my exercises to strengthen muscles again to avoid the limp. She would always observe my gait and comment and encourage me. You say “or is it just risk of dislocation?). Isn’t that enough of a risk for you ? That’s a huge risk you don’t want to take!  I had posterior THR and had the 90 degree restrictions for 6 weeks. Follow doctor’s advice and PT’s advice and I hope all will go well for you.

    • gerard07656
      gerard07656 margot50

      Posted

      Hi Margot, thank you for your reply and advice it's very much appreciated. Apologies if my dislocation comment sounded a bit flippant, I definitely think that is a massive risk but what I meant is that some times I have sat in a chair where my hip goes slightly out of the 90 degree angle then immediately correct it, but was concerned that I had done some other damage, for example to my recovery. Hope that makes sense.

    • margot50
      margot50 gerard07656

      Posted

      I see what you mean Gerard. I was completely paranoid about the 90 degree rule and was often unsure if I was obeying it properly or not, so I understand your questions.  I was constantly asking my PT about it !  Eventually, I suppose I developed a better sense of what it was as time went on. I followed the 90 degree rule way longer than I was told because I wasn't so confident. I have a feeling it would have to be more than a second or two to do any damage and you are clearly conscientious. My best wishes to you.

  • kathi99315
    kathi99315 gerard07656

    Posted

    A cane will take that limp from you - at least did me... I would have thot you’d need to be on it for some weeks yet - and my doc said no 90 degree angle for 12 weeks... didn’t want to take chance in dislocating... 
  • faye4342
    faye4342 gerard07656

    Posted

    Hi I’m 3 months left THR my doctor said 90 degree rule for 6 wks or until your check up. Then he told me ease yourself back to bending,not to force it.i pretty much do all bending now. I had a limb and my surgeon said to lay on bed on unoperated leg with pillow between leg and lift operated leg up and hold 5 seconds,10 repetitions. As you get better hold 10 seconds. Do 3 times daily. Did wonders for my limp. I’m having my 3 month X-ray this week and a surgeon appointment in 2 weeks time,then we are pretty much done but for yearly appointments.

    Lots of times I forget i’ve had this surgery but during the 1st 2 months I thought this day would never come.

    Good Luck

     

    • gerard07656
      gerard07656 faye4342

      Posted

      Hi Faye, thanks for your reply, great to hear you are doing so well, gives me some confidence knowing it does get better so thank you

      The exercise you have described to get rid of the limp, do you know if this can be done now or would i have to wait until 6 weeks after the surgery? Many thanks again

    • faye4342
      faye4342 gerard07656

      Posted

      We here in Nova Scotia receive a booklet and it states not until after 6 wks. I waited until my 6 wk check up and he said to go home and start the exercise right away.
    • faye4342
      faye4342

      Posted

      This the page from booklet.

      my surgery was February 28/18

    • Guest
      Guest faye4342

      Posted

      Excellent booklet. Out photocopy sheets were rubush in comparison 
    • Guest
      Guest

      Posted

      Rubbish even!
  • Gasparilla
    Gasparilla gerard07656

    Posted

    hi Gerard,

    You want to avoid limping. That will throw your body out of alignment and can impede recovery. A cane or trekking poles can help. My doctor was fine with whatever aids I preferred.

    My doctor has cautioned that I should be careful about the 90 degree rule for life! He did clarify (thankfully) that I can bend past that as I get stronger and regain mobility, but he said not to break the rule with PT or other stressful exercises. Fear that I’ll never be able to use my concept 2 rower again...

    I was given a set of exercises to start using as soon as I got home: marching in place, swinging each leg outwards (not crossing midline), etc. I did these 2-3 times a day along with walking (with aids). I imagine you can do a google search for “exercises after hip replacement”. My physical therapists do not like the leg lift that have been described in other posts; they feel that it puts too much strain on the new joint.

    Take it one day at a time and try not to get impatient with your recovery. Good luck!

    • inhal03672
      inhal03672 Gasparilla

      Posted

      We are all different and of course guided by our surgeon & allied health practitioners but once that prosthesis is embedded then don’t limit yourself & get as strong & mobile as you can. I’m 9 months post revision & psoas release & use my concept rower & spin bike. 

      I walk every day & do strength work. 

      All the best and I hope you get back on your rower soon??

    • Gasparilla
      Gasparilla inhal03672

      Posted

      Thanks for your encouragement! I’m 13 weeks post op, so have to be patient. In the meantime, I can use our elliptical and do laps in our swimming pool.
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK gerard07656

    Posted

    It's all a matter of balancing the risk of dislocating.  You should be able to start bending by 12 weeks (but this is not universal, take advice from your surgeon). By 6 months, the risk is very low, there is always a risk, but there always was a risk before your THR.

    See my website for further information and tips, the address is in my personal info here ...

       https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

    and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

       https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

    Best wishes

    Graham - 🚀💃 🤸    ¯\_(?)_/¯

    • gerard07656
      gerard07656 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Hi Graham, thanks for your reply and the links you have provided they are very useful and I will be adding some of these exercises to my daily routine!
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK gerard07656

      Posted

      I'm now finding that the exercises go on for life ..... just to keep the new joint going properly.

      We need to keep those muscles toned.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.