I had a hip replacement op 5 months ago and i thought i'd feel better at this stage than i am.

Like you i can no longer put socks, or put any footware on unless it slip on, and same told not to bend over 90 deg, which i try to avoid but but being carer for my husband, i havent had time to worry about the angle ( naughty i know ), all the time, i had my op end sep, lifting i think you would be best to get advice on that from your doctor to be on the safe side, as lifting is a grey area, wish you well....

You don't say if anterior or lateral or posterior replacement. Anterior I had there were no limitations on what I could do apart from the fact you can't do much for a while anyway due to healing pain and staples, etc.  I started physio the day after my op and have continued three days a week now for one hour a time for the past 4 weeks.  You won't be able to lift your leg until your abductor muscles are stronger.....walking doesn't do that. You should have been riding on a recumbent bike for 10 mins to warm up, stretch out your calves afterwards, be doing work on a bed to start to do straight leg raises of the affected hip!  You should have started to use your hip to go up and down stairs. The 90 degree rule seems to apply to those who have lateral or posterior replacements which includes not sitting at that angle in a chair, or bending down to tie laces. I think you need to see your GP and tell him you need physio sessions as you are not doing well and if you are having hip problems with pain he needs to get your hip X-rayed and if there's a problem refer you back to your surgeon. I was given a walker as soon as I got out of bed and had to bear weight immediately.  Take pain meds before doing so and not sit around.  Tiredness is my worst enemy as I heal!  Good luck to you....its a worry for sure if you are not confident about your new hip.

I have the same questions, I work construction and need a hip replacement, so I want to know what the future holds for me...Please keep me informed Thank you

Hi Taff.

I had THR February 2014.

Like you had no physio,but walked every day,slowly increasing the distance.

It was 6mnths before I could put socks on unaided..my job involved some heavy lifting which I am still unable to do,Mostly due to arthritis and weakened  muscles in my back after months off work.

Im now 65 so I've called it a day and retired.

My new hip is 90%healed,but my other hip is now giving trouble and I'm waiting for another THR. I could manage another year,but IMO it's best to have it done whilst I'm still fit and healthy.

Personally I'd retire if you can afford to..but Good luck whatever you decide to do.

 

Taffy,

  My understanding is that heavy lifting is a thing of the past after THR, but I would ask your doctor for sure. I can't believe they didn't give you exercises for range of motion at least.You should find some post op exercises on the internet to strengthen those muscles. My prosthetic was not glued, I have the kind the bone grows into, but they encouraged me to walk as soon as possible without assistance and do my exercizes. When I went for my five week follow up I took a list of questions for my surgeon and one of them was how to reach my foot on the operated side. My surgery was posterior but minimally invasive so my incision was 3 inches long, verticle and between my hip and buttock. Anyway, my doctor told me while sitting in a chair, bend my leg with the knee outward towards the arm of the chair and bring the foot up on to an ottoman to rest it on. Reach in between the legs to reach the foot, careful not to bend over too far. At first I had to use my hand to bring my foot up and it did hurt somewhat but I was very careful to move slowly. It got easier every time I did it. Anyway now after 12 wks I can bring my foot up the same way and put my socks on without having to raise it with my hand and no longer need the ottoman. I had the restrictions too, as most THR do, but after 12 wks your hip is encapsulated and the chance of it dislocating is reduced by 95%. I still try to be careful, but sometimes I just forget and so far so good. The exercises help tremendously.

Good luck to you,

Kathee 

Taffy, ceramic on ceramic. I haven't heard of both the implant prostheses being ceramic.

I would be very concerned about with lifting is squatting from a low level if you could do that there would be so much pressure on the hip,I wonder if it could break. That would be awful for you. Also as you thought dislocation.

Is there anything else you could do at your work place.?

Sorry to hear what you're going through. After I had my first surgery the therapist in the hospital had me up the very next morning doing walking exercises, heel slides, ankle pumps, quad arts, gluten sets, abduction and addiction, knee extension, standing knee flexion, partial standing squats and my surgeon wanted me to bear weight on my surgical legs. I did those twice a day in the hospital, then I was sent home with home health care where they came three times a week for 2 weeks then I started outpatient therapy 3 timed a week for 6 weeks until I had my second surgery. Eventually I was able to put on my socks and shoes and more. Correct they don't want you passing the 90 degree angle but I did by put on my socks and shoes. There is a chance of dislocation no matter what prosthesis they used, just have to be caution.

Can't believe you didn't get any exercises! If you message me your email I can send you my physio sheets ...best is if you can do some in a swimming pool too...not too late to strengthen your new hip joint and improve your range of movement...I had my THR last Feb but have more or less full movement now...

Chris (uk)

I don't think your surgeon meant no weight bearing. He may have meant carrying weights. I had a ceramic hip replacement fitted five years ago. Even though I have an allotment I do not lift weights in the way that I used to. There is a loss of strength but also I do not want to push my luck. Obviously you being a man, your body is constructed differently but I cringe at the thought you might be expected to do the heavy work you were doing before the op. You really do need to be talking to your surgeon. He can recommend physio. It will take a lot of work and determination to get strength back in that leg. Your question about which path to take is a very exciting one. Only you can find that path. Now maybe the time to put down the heavy kitchen appliances and assess your life. Dante starts his Divine Comedy with the words, " In the middle of my life, I lost the path and found myself in a dark wood." That's when his adventure began. Good luck with the journey Taffy.

Be careful lifting.... I was well on road to recovery until I lifted a 23 kg suitcase. Messed me up good and proper.. That was 17th Nov and still not right now!!  Aggravated groin/abductor muscles and tendonitis as well as iliopsoas... If you are used to lifting etc... you do it without thinking!  WRONG...   Of course it is easier for a woman to play the "help me" card....