What You Need to Avoid after Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which a damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial joint. This surgery is typically performed to relieve pain and improve mobility in people with hip joint damage from arthritis or other conditions. If you decide to get hip replacement surgery, avoiding a few things after surgery is essential to ensure a speedy recovery.

Bending the Waist More Than 90 Degrees

It's essential to avoid bending your waist more than 90 degrees after hip replacement surgery. Bending too far can put too much stress on your new hip joint and cause dislocation. It can also cause pain and damage to your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

There are a few ways you can avoid bending your waist more than 90 degrees. First, try to sit in chairs that have a high back and armrests. This will help support your back and prevent you from leaning forward. Second, when you stand up from a chair, use your leg muscles to push yourself up rather than your back muscles. And third, when you're lying down, use a pillow to prop up your legs so that your knees are higher than your hips.

If you need to bend your waist more than 90 degrees, be sure to do it slowly and carefully. And always use your leg muscles, rather than your back muscles, to help you lift and lower yourself.

Crossing Your Legs

After having hip replacement surgery, it is essential to avoid crossing your legs. This can put unnecessary stress on your new hip joint and cause pain or dislocation. Crossing your legs can also cause your hip to freeze in place and increase your risk of falling. Additionally, crossing your legs can interfere with the blood flow to your new hip, which can delay healing.

If you must sit for long periods of time, make sure to keep your legs uncrossed as much as possible. When lying down, also avoid crossing your legs. Instead, keep them straight or place a pillow between your knees.

If you have any questions or concerns about crossing your legs after hip replacement surgery, be sure to ask your surgeon or orthopedic specialist.

Lifting Your Knees Past the Hips

It is important to avoid lifting your knees past the hips after hip replacement surgery. This can put unnecessary stress on the new hip joint and cause damage.

There are a few ways to avoid this. First, when sitting down, be sure to keep your knees at or below hip level. Second, when standing up, use your leg muscles, not your back, to slowly and carefully raise your body.

If you need to lift something heavy, use a dolly or other assistive device. 

And finally, be sure to follow your physical therapist's instructions and avoid any sudden or jerky movements.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, avoiding certain activities after hip replacement surgery is crucial to prevent the dislocation of the hip implant. These activities include crossing your legs, bending your hip more than 90 degrees, and lifting your knees past your hip. Additionally, it is essential to sleep on your back or side and to use a pillow between your legs when sleeping on your side. With proper care and avoidance of high-impact activities, your hip replacement surgery should allow you to live a full and active life.

Get hip replacement surgery at Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists. We are board-certified orthopedic surgeons that have performed knee and hip replacement surgeries for over 50 years. We are relentless in our pursuit of patient satisfaction and improvement. Schedule an appointment now!