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Do's and Dont's

Posted , 16 users are following.

sarah05951
sarah05951

hi.  I had a left hip replacement 6 weeks ago and been told I can go back to work and drive now. The consultant wasn't much help with what I can do now, apart from don't bend more than 90degrees.

i was wondering how other people were finding sitting in the car. Also, how to bend down to reach things on the floor.

 I would be grateful for any suggestions as don't want to risk dislocation, though told it is quite uncommon.

Don't  know if other people found that their heels hurt when sleeping on their back?  I have tried sleeping on one side and it does help. Tried sleeping on operated side, but scar still tender so can't do that yet.

0 likes, 36 replies

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  • briskwalk
    briskwalk sarah05951

    Posted

    Dear Sarah,

    I thought that after 6 weeks you can bend over 90 degrees...

     

    • sarah05951
      sarah05951 briskwalk

      Posted

      Hi. Bi think the 90 degree rule is forever!  As is crossing you ankles or legs. Perhaps others will say different.  The consultant just said no bending to any question I asked. Also commented that it is also because I am tall.  
    • ann19982
      ann19982 sarah05951

      Posted

      Definitely told I could now ignore the 90 degree rule and indeed actively encouraged it with the new exercise given to me.  But you must all heed the advice given in your own situation. 
    • christine69594
      christine69594 sarah05951

      Posted

      I cross my ankles all the time and I have my knees sometimes. Alls fine, I'm over 4 mths post op.
  • ann19982
    ann19982 sarah05951

    Posted

    Hello Sarah.  I am now 9 weeks today and driving is tiring for me (I am66) Able to kneel down and able to sleep how ever I wish, allowed to forget the 90 degrees. My check up was on week 8.  My do nots are - no bath, no squatting.  My scar has only just started to settle and I can now sleep on it. Asked him about physio and he sadi I must continue with the given exercises until he sees me again in 4 months.  theory behind it is to get the new one doing the same as the other one before moving on.  Have a long way to go with this.  When laying on back I can get good knee up to chest but naughty one does not want to do that so i keep trying every day as instructed. The other exercise he added was to sit on floor bend knees and have soles of feet touch and gently put pressure on knees to eventaully lower them as  far as possible to floor - right he is joking!!!  I still get tired and need to rest most afternoons.  I do walk between 3-5 miles daily.  Told to walk as much as possible
    • sarah05951
      sarah05951 ann19982

      Posted

      Hi Ann.  You sound like you are doing really well.  I did quite a bit of walking the other day and body told me I probably overdid it.  Find kneeling a bit painful as left knee still feels a bit bruised. Left foot puffiness starting to subside.  I spoke to the physiotherapist at hospital yesterday and he said should be able to have a bath in time, which is good news.  Also said to do the exercises which I must admit have let slide, as very mobile so didn't think so crucial.  

      Thanks for info and hope recovery continues for you.  

    • ann19982
      ann19982 sarah05951

      Posted

      Have to say I am most diligent wth the given exercises.  To fit it in to my daily routine i do the sidways leg while my milk is warming for my lattee, this takes a minute and the backward one when the coffee is being added from my expresso machine. While drinking I look out into the garden and do tippy toes and bum clenches.  I drink a lot of lattee - milk you see good for my bones.  I do the knee lift while in the shower - holding on of course.  the bed ones I do when I first wake up and then fit them in again as the day goes on.  I now have 2 to do on the floor so this is my new TV watching position.  Everyday I go for a walk.  Lucky me to be retired and a lady of leisure.  Determined to be back to full fitness for my 4 month check up and if he says lets do the other hip I may give him a slap.

      Time for another round of exercises

      xx

    • sarah05951
      sarah05951 ann19982

      Posted

      Wow, you are good. I will try the same as like you said doesn't take long.  I don't have another check up for a year and that will just be an xray probably.  Guess depends where you are in the country. I only have the exercises in the booklet given to me by hospital, that sound the same as yours.  Haven't got the floor ones though.
    • ann19982
      ann19982 sarah05951

      Posted

      Hi Sarah. My 4 month is because of osteoporosis as thinning bones may cause implant to loosen. My 2 floor exercises are really stretching ones. The arthritis UK site have suitable exercises for hippies worth a look
  • brian68625
    brian68625 sarah05951

    Posted

    Hi Sarah, I'm 9 weeks post op today. Yes my heels hurt when sleeping on my back and they still do sometimes, I found the way to pick things up off the floor was to put my op leg out behind me and bent the other knee. I started to drive again at 6 weeks, The main thing in my opinion is to do the exercises. I, still putting a pillow between my knees and sleeping on my good side, still not too happy about sleeping on my op side, hope this helps.

    Best wishes

    Brian uk

    • sarah05951
      sarah05951 brian68625

      Posted

      Hi Brian.  So pleased that someone else does that with their leg to pick things up.  I found that when laying on my back to put pillow under both legs, so that heels aren't touching anything. That seems to work for me.  Tried driving today and getting in and out car okay. Using foot for clutch a bit tricky but that is probably due to not having used those muscles.  I will get back to doing the exercises as not really been doing them. Didn't realise how crucial they are.  Thanks for your thoughts and best wishes.Sarah
  • ginger47520
    ginger47520 sarah05951

    Posted

    About driving.need to talk worth your insurance people to see if you have coverage at this point of healing. Also if your bum is lot lower than hips it's real hard to get up and out of the car.

    Maybe you can put a pillow in the seat to avoid being to low to get out of the car.

    Getting in open the door turn around facing the door sit down then bring your legs in repeat the same getting out..

    If you are required to ware a seat belt hope it's not too tight at the hips.if some one hits your car from the back your knees will hit the dash.cause much pain and injury to your hips.

    One consideration is what would you do if someone parks too close to your car. What would you do then? Be careful take care of your self.smile

  • helen248
    helen248 sarah05951

    Posted

    I too thought the 90 degree rule was lifted after 6 weeks. I think the risk of dislocation is much smaller after 6 weeks. My heels are really bad now. i have heel protectors but they are sheepskin and really really hot. plus hard to put on the foot i cant actually reach. ive sussed getting the stocking on but these are really hard. 

    to reach things off the floor, extend your op leg straight out behind you and bend your good leg to reach the floor. 

    • sarah05951
      sarah05951 helen248

      Posted

      Hi Helen.  Thanks for you reply.  I think the 90 degree rule is indefinite.  The physio at the hospital said that dislocation uncommon but I don't want to risk it.  Good to know that I am not the only one to put leg out behind me to reach down to floor.  They don't tell you that in hospital.  I find my heels only hurt in bed when laying on my back.  I found if I put pillow under both legs so heels aren't touching anything then that works.  Laying on my side is much better, but scar still sore and tender but that should improve. 

      i got a sock aid to put on socks. Wonder when I will be able to bring up operated leg to reach foot? 

      Can't really kneel on left knee yet as still feel bruised and left ankle still a bit puffy, but each day seems to get a bit easier. 

      Hope your recovery continues well. Best wishes

    • Anci
      Anci sarah05951

      Posted

      Hi Sarah,

      I have not had my surgery yet. My surgeon told me that the 90 degree restriction is lifted after 8 weeks, He does posterior THR. I also talked to other people who had it done and they said the same thing. At the same time if I were you I would do what your professionals tell me.

      I wish you the best!

       

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