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Breaking 90 degree rule

Posted , 16 users are following.

CelsB
CelsB

After Abbi's thread about her dislocations, it has got me wondering if anyone  inadvertently broke the 90 degree rule and got away with it.  I'm not planning to try it of course, even pre-op I'm practising moving without bending my bad hip more than 90 degrees, but there are times when I forget.  I'm sure after hip replacement I will be more aware, but do you hippies ever bend without thinking and if so, how has it affected you?

Cels x

5 likes, 49 replies

49 Replies

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  • rose0000
    rose0000 CelsB

    Posted

    I have to be completely honest, as I always am, and am very ashamed to admit I broke the 90 degree rule within days of being at home. I was simply sitting in a chair and was bending my knee (trying to relieve some of the swelling and pressure) the physio walked in and said 'I am not sure I believe the 90 degree rule at all because there are breaking the rule and are perfectly fine' I had NO idea I was breaking any rules, I did it largely without thinking! I quickly put my leg back down and didn't move it again! 

    In the early days we are very careful (With the exception of that day!)  it is hard to be anything else. Now I am finding it a little more tricky to always remember now I am feeling better. 

    I know people that we were told the 90 degree rule is not applicable to them, and yet they have had the same surgery as me. It is a real puzzle that it seems to vary from surgeon to surgeon.

    Getting into good habits now is a good idea, and understanding the 90 degree in different positions not just the obvious ones, will put you in good stead. Thankfully dislocations are still very rare, and most people are fine. 

  • belleAUSSydney
    belleAUSSydney CelsB

    Posted

    No one at the hospital ever told me about a 90-degree rule. I have only read about it on the forum here. However, a few weeks after my op, I was doing something. Got down onto the floor to do it more easily and then realised I was on the floor almost cross-legged. Once down there, I just finished what I was doing and grabbed onto a ledge to pull myself up. I have also bent over numerous times to pick stuff up without doing the golfer/ballerina dip. Think I'm okay... having said that, don't do it...
  • nikki52902
    nikki52902 CelsB

    Posted

    My physio told me that the hip replacements were much stronger these days but they still give us the same restrictions as they used to . She said they were considering not having any restrictions at all soon as they have improved so much . I still try to remember the rule but I don't panic . I missed a step coming downstairs and thudded onto operated leg . It hurt for 2 days then was fine .
  • alice85142
    alice85142 CelsB

    Posted

    Yes I did only a few weeks post op..just forgot...because youv are able there is little warning.  I bent to pick up my cat!  I was thankfully alright.  There is what is known as a golfers leg movement where you stretch your bed hip/leg straight out behind you and bend forward.  that seems acceptable to do but don't try to do anything for 6-7 weeks.  I lay on my side ( on the operated side which hurts a bitas  on the wound but told to do so)  after 7 weeks and it was bliss..somoe of us are told to lie on opposite side which shows there are dived opions in this!

    Alice

    • CelsB
      CelsB alice85142

      Posted

      I know Alice, there is so much conflicting advice.  I've had problems bending for a while so I suppose it will take some time to get back into the habit when I am able.  Still waiting for pre-op assessment date frown

      Cels x

    • alice85142
      alice85142 CelsB

      Posted

      Cels..My typo errors are awful!  I get lots of my queries answered reading others questions..Blinking brilliant!

      Ali x

  • sue1957Geo
    sue1957Geo CelsB

    Posted

    I was to scared to break it, thought i had once hurt like hell but was ok.

    suexx 

  • Fernlady
    Fernlady CelsB

    Posted

    This is my biggest fear post-op. It's what's prevented me from having it done sooner.
    • alice85142
      alice85142 Fernlady

      Posted

      Dear Fernlady,  You have to aware but you know you will do all the right things.  I found feeding my cats the most challenging as the grabber kept slipping in the plate of food and it ended all over the floor and ofcause I coulsd bend to clear up..waiited for visitors and they did it!!..But small steps every day and a new target reached.  The worst for me was the sleeping on my back but again its not for months ..6-7 weeks and piled up with pillows prevents you turning...

      keep going...

      Ali

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK alice85142

      Posted

      I had the same problem with feeding our cat - but apparently you can get cat feeding bowls on sticks from the usual online stores

      Graham.

    • alice85142
      alice85142 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      uuum..and ofcause the cats can jump up onto table for their food!  Trouble is you have spent months training them not to...I got to the stage early on just to get them to eat wherever it was as  floor was getting covered in upturned bowls of cat food..   I have reached 5 months 2 weeks today....never thought i would get here.....so watch out hippies who are at days post op..you will have the spring to do all your walking!

      Ali

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 CelsB

    Posted

    Cels - Yes twice, once in the hospital at about day 3, dropped the soap, and bent over to pick it up, once bent over, thought, OH NO, not good, (I can rag doll at the waist), always been able to do it, but never been able to sit crossed legged, knees up in the air.

    Pulled myself up by the grab rails very carefully, and nearly scared myself silly. Second time, adjusted my pillow at home, at about 10 days, twisted when standing square to the bed side, came close to a dis-location that time, PAIN PAIN PAIN, off the scale, discussed with GP, and he said he agreed with me, very close to dislocation, if not dislocated and when you flopped across bed due to pain you managed to put back into right place, told me I was very lucky.

    • CelsB
      CelsB lyn1951

      Posted

      Oooooh, that was a near thing Lyn, so glad you got away with it!

      It's good to know that your body warns you when you're near the dislocation limit, but obviously we all must try not to push it to that point.

      This thread and all these answers have been very hepful and reassuring for me, and I hope, for all new hippies and hippies-to-be.

      Thanks, Cels xxx

    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 CelsB

      Posted

      Cels - I suspect I got away with the rag doll act in the hospital, I can still do it, after I healed from my surgery, shock Dr's when I show them.

      Apparently it was explained to me, by specialist, and very hard to describe, where my femur joins my pelvis is unusual presentation, I cannot sit cross legged, never been able to do that.

      Apparently only about 5% of the population have my pelvis, specilaist quite tickled to examine me, and had me walking up and down his rooms, made the comment I will never have saddlebags on the outside of my hips, at the top of my thighs.

      I consider the last a bonus, although no bought skirts and pants fit me, they all have to be adjusted otherwise I look as though I am wearing jodphurs.

      I usually make my own, have a couple of patterns that work well for me, or have a local tailor make me pants, they are just the best, and even he has commented that i have unusual hips for a woman.

    • CelsB
      CelsB lyn1951

      Posted

      I have saddlebags you can have Lyn - no need to thank me cheesygrin

      Sitting cross legged was always a favourite position for me, I could even do a full lotus in my younger days.  I sometimes wonder now if I wore my hips out doing it - just thinking about it now makes my hips scream for mercy. 

    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 CelsB

      Posted

      Cels - no thanks, I'll stick with what I have got. 

      When I was a and younger person, part of school used to be gym.

      One of the exercises was to sit cross legged on the floor, and teacher used to pick on me for not rotating my legs down, one was silly enough to grab me by the knee and push down, all she did was tip me over on my side as the knee would not go down. 

      Another exercise I could always do that others couldn't was to sit on your legs folded up under you heels under your bum, but I used to be able to part my heels and just sit on the floor, actually quiet comfortable for me, I explained that to the specialist, and he said that would be correct for you, but not cormfatable for most people. Maybe it was supposed to be a punishment at gym.

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