In case you have had a hip replacement surgery, you need to take certain precautions especially to avoid hip replacement dislocation or damage. As per the research by University Hospital of Cologne, around 2% of people with a total hip replacement will experience a dislocation within a year, while 28% of those with revision hip replacement will experience the same.
Till you get fully recovered and your mobility and range of motion have been fully evaluated by your orthopedic surgeon, you are bound to avoid below activities:
- Crossing your operated leg over your non-operative leg
Avoid crossing one leg over the other while lying down. Instead, you may use an abduction pillow to keep the legs separated while sleeping.
- Excessive bend or lift
You shouldn’t bend your hip far up or lift your knee too high. Avoid sitting on a low height chair as it may cause trouble.
- Internal rotation
Keep your toes straight ahead or slightly rotated outwards while sitting, standing or lying down. Also, rotating your hip inwards may risk a dislocation.
At the same time, in order to increase the comfort and reduce the risk of dislocation, certain safeguard measures are important to take:
- Use a walker
A walker or cane would help ensure that you do not fall or dislocate/damage the hip. It also provides caution signal to strangers.
- Physical therapist
A therapist may help with hip replacement rehabilitation. Patients doing the prescribed exercises tend to recover more quickly and get into a normal condition with much comfort.
- Proper medications
Pain medications can help with control of chronic pain, so without worrying about side-effects, it’s better to consult doctor and take those.
Post hip replacement surgery, the right balance between the activity and rest is important. You may get a long list of things to do and avoid. Your doctor will tell you when you are at minimal risk and when you no longer need to follow the entire hip related precautions. Most often, people need to maintain precautions for approximately 3 months after surgery.
