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driving after hip replacement

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Guest
Guest

Hi i am due to have a total hip replacement in the new year. My job involves a lot of driving, and wondered how long post surgery before I will be able drive? Any tips for fast recovery welcome!!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • davidintheUSA
    davidintheUSA Guest

    Posted

    That depends mainly on the seat of the vehicle. You are not to bend beyond 90 degrees at the waist. Take this very seriously. will your vehicle seat let you sit at less than 90 Most small cars won't. P;lus, a lot will depend on how well the seat fits you and your comfort. I have two vehicles and one was comfortable for long drives, the other I couldn't stand more than 30 minutes. Also, how is the vehicle top get in and out of? We can't do the ordinary way but have to go in ass first, then swing the legs around over the sill. Try doing that now. I was doing short drives three weeks post op.
  • Jodi-France
    Jodi-France Guest

    Posted

    I was driving 4 weeks post op, but just short drives to the grocery store. I am now 11 weeks post op and for myself I am sure I could do a long distance drive but I wouldn't want to, not just yet. I was on vacation in Spain and walked a lot every day one day 10 miles so you can see I'm doing really well, however for myself I would not want to be driving on continous long drives just yet. Could I? Probably yes, but I am just not comfortable yet with doing that. Everyone is different though, hope this information is of help to you.
    • davidintheUSA
      davidintheUSA Jodi-France

      Posted

      HI Jodi:

      You walked ten miles? Wow I was never able to do even one mile or even 100 meters. The pain was too much, but since I am not a walker I dismissed it and now regret he fact that I did not complain early on as it was an indication of a greater problem, total implant failure. I go in for revision in 4 weeks and can only hope it turns out well. I think driving is very dependant on how comfortable your car seat is. If it was not comfortable before surgery its going to be pretty bad after.

    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France davidintheUSA

      Posted

      My daughter in law wore something on her wrist, kind of like a watch, that counted our steps. Yeah it has been a few years since I last walked 10 miles also. But you know, being on vacation you tend to do more to see more. I was really proud of myself how well I did in Spain. Sure I got tired on the longer walks and sweated, but I just kept going and more importantly, I was *able* to keep going.
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