Frequently Asked Questions of Patients with Total Hip Arthroplasty
A surgery – a surgery – is of course a cause for concern for every patient. However, for most, it is the aftermath of the operation that is most important and this is especially evident in operations such as hip arthroplasty where the goal is to return the patient to a quality of life that has long since been lost. Frequently asked questions patients have are the following:
When can I return to work?
It depends on the work. For most jobs with mild activities, returning to work at 6 weeks after surgery makes sense. However, for jobs where they undertake intense and/or manual activities, a period of 3 months is required.
When can I do sports (sports activities)?
It depends on the activity. Sports activities that involve physical contact are best avoided in general after arthroplasty procedures. Sports activities that do not involve physical contact (such as running or swimming) are usually allowed in the 4-6 weeks after arthroplasty. Some surgeons advise that sports such as tennis or skiing are best avoided after a total arthroplasty, although I personally disagree.
When can I have sexual intercourse?
What’s stopping you? After total hip arthroplasty, it would be better to be careful in hip flexion more than 90o’clock. You can do whatever you want but keep this simple rule in mind. In addition, there are special leaflets that you can get from your doctor that show which positions are best avoided, especially in the early days.
When can I drive a car?
Usually 4 weeks is a safe period after a total hip arthroplasty. Most car seats are quite low, putting a total hip joint at risk of dislocation before this time limit. When driving a car, place the seat as far back as you can and drop the back so that you are comfortable. For safe driving after a total arthroplasty, it is necessary to have satisfactory reflexes which require that muscle strength has been restored to the operated limb and that there is no pain.
When can I ride or ride a bike?
Some surgeons advise that both riding and cycling should be avoided after a total hip arthroplasty. Not everyone agrees on this, however. Both activities are sometimes feasible, but a period of at least 3 months is considered a safe interval.
When can I stop using my crutches (bacteria)?
Usually the physiotherapist will advise you on this. However, most patients will stop using crutches no later than one month after a total hip arthroplasty. However, this general rule often does not apply. So some patients throw away one crutch much faster while others may need a longer time. It is also advisable not to make an abrupt transition from the two crutches to any support, but a transition where you first leave one bacterium and keep the bacterium on the opposite side of the operated leg. The length of time you will need to keep one bacterium varies from two to four weeks. For some patients or certain operations that need extra attention and care, this period may need to be extended. This is mainly the case in re-operation operations and in older patients with weaker muscular systems.
When can I stop wearing antithrombotic socks (graduated compression socks)?
It was common practice in the past for all patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty to wear elastic stockings, a practice that tends to be abandoned as the faster mobilization of patients combined with the newer anticoagulants makes them unnecessary. Elastic stockings, combined with medication, reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The usual period of administration of anticoagulant – antithrombotic treatment in total hip arthroplasty is four to six weeks and this is also the period for which it is recommended to use elastic stockings. The correct use of elastic stockings is to be worn 24 hours a day, while they can be removed when the patient is walking and muscle activity helps blood circulation in the calves and reduces the risk of thrombosis. However, because socks can be quite annoying for some patients, especially in the summer, and because their role is adjuvant in medication, several surgeons advise their patients to remove the socks during the night or at certain times when they bother them.
When can I lie on my side?
After a total hip arthroplasty, it is best to avoid lying on your operated rib for 4 weeks. As for the unoperated side, you can turn and sit for as long as you want, but always provided that during the first 4 weeks there will be a pillow between your knees.
When can I sit in a very low chair?
After a total hip arthroplasty, probably never! The seats should be at least 45-50 cm high to be safe at first. A good idea is to mark this height on your bacteria so that you know right away which seats are safe to sit on. It is also useful for the seats to have handles to help with sitting and getting up. After the first 6 weeks these strict prohibitions are lifted, but very low seats should be avoided, especially if the patient is tall.
When can I swim?
About a month after total hip arthroplasty. The style of the butterfly is dangerous for the initial period. The reason is that it exerts great forces on the hip. You can even practice this style but swim carefully. Here it is worth noting that swimming is the best exercise you can do for your hip and for this reason I especially encourage my surgeons to swim if they have the opportunity and they like it.
When will I be able to put on my shoes/socks myself or when can I trim my toenails myself?
Three (3) months after the operation. In order to bend as low as your toes and feet, the hip joint must be bent at about 90o’clock.
When can I go up and down stairs?
Whenever you wish. Sometimes it is difficult with two crutches, especially if your surgeon has recommended that you do not load the operated leg. However, there is no mechanical reason why you should not go up or down the stairs from the moment you get home, if you can do it. Usually going up and down the ladder is an activity that is learned in the hospital before discharge.
When can I lift weight or do my shopping?
About 6 weeks after surgery. It is difficult to lift weights when using crutches or a walker. Additional weight lifting or bending is prohibited after total hip arthroplasty for the first 6 weeks.
When can I get in and out of the bathtub?
First of all, your wound is best not to get wet before the stitches are removed. Besides, when you can bend the knee sufficiently to get in and out of the bathtub, then you will be able to do this.