THR movement restrictions

Good luck with recovery.

Hi Joanne, I had much the same advice.  I took it VERY easily and safely for the first 6 weeks as I was keen not to dislocate.  The surgeon pulled a face when I asked about having a bath again, as if to say "never" whereas I know friends who had a bath after 4 and 6 weeks.  I am now 4.5 months post op and I bend and live normally - although I still shoot my operated leg out behind me in a straight line as you're taught!  I think 12 weeks is a safe option, and I am still doing my exercises.  I now live normally, walking everywhere and just forgetting about it all.

Hi Joanne

From reading this forum, I would say it all depends - on you, your surgeon and the type of operation you had (i.e lateral, posterior etc). 

What restrictions were you given on leaving the hospital?

I was told not to bend past 90 degrees, so that meant a raised chair seat and loo seat and not to have a bath for 6 weeks to allow the wound to heal, but that was pretty much about it.  There was no restriction about stairs - apart from being careful of course.

I assume that you will have a 6 week review shortly, your surgeon should tell you if they are happy for you to get on with life or if any restrictions still apply.

I had the posterior operation and was cleared for bending etc at 8 weeks (during my 6 week review), however, my surgeon has told me not to do any impact training ever again.  He went on to explain that being 'relatively' young - (I'm 54) - for the op, it was highly likely that I would need a revision at some point in the future as the life span of the new hip is between 15-20 years if looked after. So he wanted me to have the most years possible.

Makes sense but rather disappointing as I had been a keen runner (not very good, but keen).

So, to answer your question I would say follow the bending and bath restrictions for 6 weeks, then speak to your surgeon.

Remember, we all heal at different rates and the outcome for each is different.

Best of luck

Hi Joanne. I live in Canada and it seems that different countries seem to give different advice on restrictions after surgery. I had the lateral approach done 11 weeks ago. I still have restrictions. I cannot drive or go past 90 degrees yet. I did however do stairs at the hospital. They will not discharge you here till you do them. I also live in a townhouse full of stairs. Just remember to go up with your good leg first and down with your operated leg first. No matter what country you are from we are human and they say it takes a minimum or 12 weeks for the tissue to heal.You should be good as new in a few months. My surgeon and physical therapist said you get back to about 95 percent of where you were before you started having trouble.

Good luck with your recovery.

Carrie🙂

66 male, USA. Posterior approach. Driving after 2 weeks, all restrictions lifted at 6 weeks. Just st don't go crazy. Takes up to a year to totally heal

Hi Joanne,

I started off really good. The day after I got home, I didn't have to use anything. I just walked, but I was careful. I was given the ok to drive at three weeks, although I couldn't because my knee wouldn't bend. At 4 months my knee is really painful, but I can drive. The three rules for the first three months were not to sit at a 90 degree angle--to straighten your leg in front when you sat and lower yourself. The second was not to cross the surgical leg--like putting it on top on the other one and the third was not to turn your leg inward. I'm not sure about steps. I'm just starting that because it's painful and somewhat weak. When you bend, put your surgical leg behind you and bear weight on the other but don't go past that 90 degrees. Stairs, good leg first, then the other one going up. Going down stairs, bad leg first, then good one. Kinda feels stupid, but that's what I was told so I followed directions. I'm off all precautions now but can't do a lot, but more than I could. I slipped getting out of bed and my bad leg caught in the sheet and twisted in backwards. I imagine I could be heard screaming miles away. That set me back. My doc said I could now do anything I did before. "Never" was never mentioned, although I feel like it will be never. Just don't pop it out or it will be never. He said I could climb, jump,ride a bike, etc. It's still too sore but I do a lot. Rake, trim trees, mow--but it does hurt afterward. I've found that wearing the Ted hose helps enormously when I'm straining to do stuff. That's about all I know. Do the exercises, too. They help a lot.

warm welcome to the ippies forum ...

looks like you are doing very well - 

remember that you just had major surgery and, as said here already, it depends on what kind of approach was used - Anterior will have less restrictions as no muscles, tendons, etc. were severed - however, bone was still cut, hip joint dislocated and prepared to have hardware placed - this all needs to heal -

if posterior approach was used , then  restrictions apply -

Listen to your body and heed the advice of professionals who are working with you ... are you seeing a physical therapist? and of course your surgeon will give you advice at the follow up appointment, based on his/her findings (physical exam, x-ray etc.) - sitting, bending beyond 90 degrees, lifting, sleeping will be released - in my case  crossing my legs restriction was extended ...

how are you doing otherwise? how is your mobility now compared to pre-surgery?  

big warm hug

renee 

Hi Joanne

I'm not sure what approach you had?

I had posterior so I can advise on that.i had restrictions for 6 weeks but stuck with them for 7 until I saw the consultant.

Loo seat raised, special chair raised to appropriate height and bed raised. Sticking out your leg when sitting down.no crossing of legs and no bending at 90 degree angle,no twisting.

When I saw the consultant at 7 weeks, I asked can I stop the restrictions. His reply made me laugh. He said I have a new hip I can do anything now,just treat it normally.of course I didn't jump into full on action.

I did start driving, a little sore at first but it gets better.

As for the crutches, sounds like your doing well, I used one crutch at around 3/4 week mark around the house. At 7 weeks came off both crutches outside and went to one stick outside and at 8 weeks, didn't use anything, I had a bit of a limp but that's now improving dramatically.

Wishing you well with your recovery.

Nicky

Hi Joanne I had restriction about 8 to 9 weeks. I was alowed to drive after5 weeks. Stairs I could do it after discarded from hospital but with care.

90 degree restrictions 8 weeks. I live in Australia and usually 6 weeks restrictions. Best to talk to your sergeon . Im doing most of things. I work in nursing home and on the feet 6 to 7 hours 5 days a week. Just be careful

and when you have an appointment ask the sergoun. Every country have a diferent rules.

Hug Madla💗.

Afternoon Joanne! I know that you are not supposed to bend, twist or hip flex past 90 for at least 6 weeks. I think I twisted, or went past 90 not sure early on and dislocated my hip. 3 weeks and 2 days later I'm having a total hip revision where I was non weight bearing, no hip exercises and no flexion past 80 degrees for 6 weeks. I'm almost 10 months out now and he still had me on no hip flexion past 90 degrees. I couldn't do that if I wanted to as I am so stiff and tight right now. I can pick up things off the floor as long as I kick the operated leg back. I still can't cut my own toenails or even dry my feet after a shower. I can't bend past 90. So shoulders can't go past hips. Like everyone says, we are all different, so check with your surgeon. Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery and healing. Hugs 🤗 LD

Hi Joanne,

I live in Charleston, SC and had FRHR about 10 months ago.  I had to attend a manditory class prior to the surgery.  The reason is to answer all questions and make sure that you know exactly what you are getting into and what to expect during hospital stay and during the weeks of recovery.  I'm not sure where you are located, but didn't you have to do something similar?  or at the very least be provided a huge package of information to take home with you? 

To answer your question is difficult because restrictions depend on several factors.  If you had the Anterior approach, you should have very little restrictions and should not need walking aids after the first month.  By 6 weeks you should be able to bend past 90 degrees.  With the Posterior approach, there are more restrictions in the beginning as there is more risk of the hip dislocating.  After about 6 weeks or so, those restrictions will be limited also.  The amount of physical therapy also plays a huge factor.  If you continue with physio after you leave the hospital (3 x per week for 8 weeks or so), you will be ahead of the game and can expect to do more than those who have not done the required physio. 

By my 6 week check up, the only restriction my surgeon gave me was not to hyperextend the leg (on operated side) backwards - like you would do if you were walking fast paced.  By 12 weeks, all restrictions were removed. 

You physical therapist should be able to provide guidelines specifically for your fitness level and stage of recovery.  You can also find plenty of information in the internet.

Wish the best as you continue to recover