YOUR CARE

Preparing for Surgery - Precautions and advice

There are certain movements that put undue stress on your new hip particularly in the first six weeks. These are

• Do not bend your hip to more than a right angle (90 degrees)
• Do not cross your operated leg across the midline of your body in standing sitting or lying
• Do not turn your operated leg inwards
• Always sit in a high backed chair with arms. When sitting or standing always use the arms of the chair and stretch your operated leg in front so that you do not bend the hip more than 90 degrees. Use a raised toilet seat on the toilet
• Always use a long handled reacher to pick items off the floor. Always stretch your operated leg behind you and don’t lean to far forward.
• Never lean forward to put shoes or trousers on, always use a reacher or specialist equipment advised by the occupational therapist.
• When getting in the car always move the seat back as far as possible and keeping your operated leg stretched in front of you lower yourself onto the seat. Slide your bottom across the seat and swing your legs into the car one at a time. Tilt the back of the seat back so that your hip does not exceed 90 degrees.
• When going up the stairs hold on to the banister on one side and the stick on the other. Step up with the good leg followed by the operated leg and stick. When going down stairs place the stick and operated leg down first followed by the good leg
• Do not kneel or squat for 3 months.
• Sexual relations may begin after 6 weeks but the precautions listed above apply
• After 3 months you can usually return to most sporting activities but check with your consultant or physiotherapist before starting.