Activities to Avoid After Hip Replacement Surgery
If you are on the path to having hip replacement surgery, you may be wondering what life will be like afterward. You can expect your lifestyle to be a lot like it was before hip pain got the best of you but there will be some activities you’ll need to avoid.
Avoid crossing your legs
After surgery, you should not cross your legs even when attempting to put on your socks and shoes. You should also avoid sleeping on your side for a period of time after surgery because this can cause the legs to cross. Even after that, your doctor may want you to sleep with a pillow between your legs to keep your hips level.
Keep from bending forward or lifting your knees too far
It’s very important not to bend your hip more than 90 degrees when you are recovering and possibly beyond based on the advice of your surgeon. Don’t bend to tie your shoes and don’t lift your knee past your hip. This includes sitting at an angle that puts your hip below your knee so beware of deep cushioned seats and getting in and out of vehicles that are very low to the ground. As a rule of thumb, if your knee is below your hip joint, you are in a good position.
We’re Here for You!
A Better Life is a Click Away.
Don’t rotate your feet too far inward or outward
When walking, standing, sitting, and lying down try to keep your toes and foot pointing in the same direction as your hip. The rotation of your thigh affects the position of the head of your joint and you want to limit that twisting motion to prevent complications or dislocation.
Follow your doctor’s orders
Based on your unique condition, your surgeon may give you a list of additional precautions, instructions, and information about exercises and activities to avoid. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s advice and follow up with them if you want to make adjustments to this plan. The speed of your recovery and the ongoing success of your surgery will depend on how well you adhere to these precautions.
Your active lifestyle doesn’t have to end with hip replacement
The fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons at CMC Orthopaedics help many patients through their hip replacements and onto living pain-free, active lifestyles again. If you have questions about hip replacement surgery and the recovery process, let us walk you through it. You could be just months away from enjoying the things you love again.
To set an appointment, call 843-347-8041 or request an appointment today!
Donovan Johnson, MD
Fellowship trained in Sports Medicine: Shoulder, Elbow, Hip and Knee Arthroscopy at The Steadman Clinic, Steadman-Philippon Research Institute, Vail CO.
Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Donovan Johnson MD completed his undergraduate education at Eastern Illinois University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Biology and was a starter on their football team. He was an all-conference defensive end and linebacker. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University located in Washington, D.C. Following medical school, Dr. Johnson completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. While in New Orleans, he served as head team-physician for two local high schools, both of which were state champions in their division. After residency, he completed a sports medicine fellowship at the world-renowned and prestigious Steadman Clinic located in Vail, CO. The Steadman Clinic is one of the most sought-after sports medicine fellowships for orthopaedic surgeons.
To set an appointment, call 843-347-8041 or request an appointment today!
