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When can I bend to put my shoes on?

Posted , 16 users are following.

lucy82829
lucy82829

Hi all,

I am getting so frustrated with the mixed messages. My physio who isn't linked to the hospital where I had a left hip replacement minimally invasive posterior approach, said that I will NEVER be able to bend at 90 degrees again. Surely this isn't right? I'm finding it difficult to get hold of my consultant to check but will give it another go tomorrow .Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Lucy

PS I'm 5 weeks post op! 

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • carol21327
    carol21327 lucy82829

    Posted

    No I’m sure that’s not right!

    Eventually you should be able to do everything 

  • kathyk
    kathyk lucy82829

    Posted

    Im 7 weeks post op and I still am about 2" short of being able to comfortably bend enough to tie my shoe on the operated leg.  WIth the anterior approach, they say as long as it doesnt hurt, you should be able to bend over enough to do what you need.  Seems 3 months is the magic mark for alot of people on this forum, where they feel back to normal for the most part!  

  • connie53617
    connie53617 lucy82829

    Posted

    I get confused too..my Dr said I have no restrictions. Except he suggest I don't do any activities with jumping or higher impact..only because it puts wear and tear on joint..everything I read confuses me..there are always limitations...I had latera anterior approach..9 weeks post op..

  • denise79180
    denise79180 lucy82829

    Posted

    I had first hip done 2 years ago. Can certainly bend to put on she's and socks and cut toenails. 

    Just had second hip done so back to restrictions. I hope I get back to being flexible again. I have been told to always bear restrictions in mind to help new joint last as long as possible.  Some people don't ever get that full range of movement back. I have a friend who can't reach her toes after 2 1/2 years. I suppose it depends on many things. 

  • jen86183
    jen86183 lucy82829

    Posted

    Hi lucy,

    This is a big worry for me as well. I have no idea whether it will be safe to bend over. After op I was sent home without any guidance, no physio, nothing. As the surgeon was negative about doing anything like cutting toe nails, putting on socks. It is not like you can speak to the surgeon only his secretary, he did not appear for the six week check up, just someone from his team. It is a case of muddle through as best I can therefore, I am learning from this forum.

  • laura52566
    laura52566 lucy82829

    Posted

    I went for my 6 week consultation with the surgeon. He said I can do anything now, bending, twisting, anything and yet when I read other replies that say the opposite , I get confused and don’t know what to think.
    • kathyk
      kathyk laura52566

      Posted

      Ni Laura, I went for my 6 week last Thursday and was told the same thing, no restrictions but I still cant comfortably bend down to tie the one shoe!  Surgeon's nurse said for the rest of my life, that when I go to pick something up off floor, to put the operated leg straight back in back of me, which I actually already do as it is more comfortable, so its pretty much habit.  That was about it really though.  Guess they figure most people wont do certain things if it hurts, which will hopefully subside in time and will leave us able to do whatever we need to do!!!

    • Anne68156
      Anne68156 kathyk

      Posted

      And if one has had both hip replaced (as I have) then what does one do?

       

    • connie53617
      connie53617 laura52566

      Posted

      Hi Laura..I am confused as well...at my 4 week check up my Dr said I have no restrictions..I'm 9 weeks and still I am cautious..although I am riding my horse..not like normal but I'm happy to just be on...my surgeon has worked with alot of equestrians..and they are all riding...jumping jumps ect..I want to get back to yoga but I'm unsure.

    • kathyk
      kathyk connie53617

      Posted

      Im 7 weeks and was given ok last week at post op checkup to ride or do whatever, but I just dont feel comfortable getting back on my horse quite yet.  The thought of getting that right leg over my horse without pain has me a little timid!!  Hopefully my 9 weeks I will be ready to at least ride at a walk in the round pen!!
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK lucy82829

    Posted

    I am sure that is incorrect, we do have to wait for a while before bending, but eventually it's OK.  I had a standard posterior replacement, then revision on the same joint 10 weeks later. I was bending very gently at 12 weeks after the revision.  See the 'dislocation risk' graph I produced.

    See my website for tips from many hippies on this forum, the address is in my personal info here ...

       https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

    and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

       https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

    Best wishes

    Graham - 🚀💃 🤸    ¯\_(?)_/¯

     

    • lucy82829
      lucy82829 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Gosh your laymans guide is fabulous Graham! Well worth a read- cheered me up ! 
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK lucy82829

      Posted

      Well that makes all my efforts worth while cheesygrin

      Now I am even going to the gym 3 times every week ... to take off the weight I put on in the recovery, I find that my legs are stronger than before and I am now faster than my wife when out cycling cool

  • melody39324
    melody39324 lucy82829

    Posted

    The normal period for restrictions is 6 weeks. So, unless you have a more complicated situation for some reason, I’d go with that. I’ve had both hips done at different hospitals and, in each case, was advised not to bend beyond 90 degrees for six weeks.

    Do you have a long-handled shoehorn? I find that really useful, even now I can bend.

    • jen86183
      jen86183 melody39324

      Posted

      Hi melody,

      I seem to be the only one with a recent thr that has been told, 12 weeks of precautions then a further 6 months being careful. I had the posterior 11 weeks ago, at the 6 week doctor appointment, I said I know you cut the muscle (a lot of people have said they do), he said the muscle was not cut.

      As the muscle was not cut I would have thought I could do more but, because everyone said 12 weeks I have only done the given exercises and walking. I seem to be behind with bending etc., now bending has become quite scary.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy jen86183

      Posted

      I had posterior too and it seems that the muscle is now preserved by a lot of surgeons, unlike the good old days. My surgeon has gone back from doing the anterior to the posterior approach as he feels it is gentler on the patient and does not have nerve problems. A hip op is a pretty violent operation though so you need to be careful and let yourself heal irrespective what sort of approach you have. You can’t just get up and start running marathons! 
    • jen86183
      jen86183 ptolemy

      Posted

      Totally agree ptolemy, at times though you tend to feel inadequate when others are doing so much after such an incredible short time. I am doing between 7,000 - 10,000 steps most days, been driving for 3 weeks and back to doing household jobs as long as I do not bend down. so I suppose I am not doing too bad.
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