Hi I am 4 weeks post op and recovering well. Not seeing consultant until nearly 8 weeks post op. He does not want me to drive before 8 weeks.
I am hoping at this appointment he will allow me to drive and return to work. My work involves driving and sitting in people's homes.
I have and will continue to be very careful about picking up dropped items. How long before this restriction is lifted. Anybody know ???
I think picking up dropped items can be started after 6 weeks - use the 'golfers reach' method - put the 'new hip' leg out behind you, and take it VERY easy. You really do not want to dislocate. Do make sure you are allowed by your surgeon/physio - when you are allowed does vary between surgeons and patients.
Graham
Thanks Graham. I'm terrified of dislocation. I seem to have become so clumsy. I keep dropping everything. ! Think it's psychological.
Sandra
Hi Sarah,
I agree with Graham, stick your leg out behind you, and probably 6 weeks. Use your grabber when you can.
Hi, afraid you will have to use your grabber stick for a while longer, although if you place your operated leg backwards you can bend down a bit to try pick up objects but be careful. I am also eight weeks am driving already been doing this for two weeks, have already had my post op check and had to drive myself to the hospital and that was twenty five miles. Good luck
Really not sure...i still use a grab stick, op 8th August. I'm able to go lower, using squats. Better check with medics, you don't want to damage all the good work. Good luck!
My precautions (posterior technique) is 12 weeks for bending down to pick stuff up. I started driving at 2 weeks automatic type car (right hip).
My precautions end one week from today !!!
Many surgeons, as you have probably figured out, have different lengths of time for precautions etc...
Good Luck
Thanks guys. Your advice is invaluable. Maybe that's why surgeon told me you have to be very careful for 12 weeks which makes sense. However I remember physio saying all restrictions lifted after 6 weeks. Think I feel more comfortable with 12 weeks.
Sandra.
I am 6 weeks out just driving to PT and back. My Dr said no bending over till he see's me in December . Take it slow good luck
hi sandra,
I agree with previous posts - use grabber and golfer's method to pick up stuff --
you sound really great ...
I was advised by surgeon to adhere to 90 degree for about 12 weeks - not as strict but just to be mindful -
how are getting on otherwise?
big warm hug
renee
Thanks Renee
That seems to be the general consensus. I'm doing ok apart from that. I had started sleeping better but the last two nights have been awful and I have a bit of groin pain. I will be 4 weeks post op on Friday.
aww... sorry to hear that --- do you think you are over extending yourself a bit ? easy to do, you know - you are feeling better, stronger, especially around 3-6 weeks post-op ... just remember that your body is still healing and repairing the damage and trauma - everything is so fragile -walking requires som much energy - just to keep your body in balance is taxing -
Sandra still needs tender loving care ...
angel blessings
Thanks Renee. Your right. Probably expecting too much too soon.
I asked Pysiotherapist about recoverytime before I had op. He said 6 weeks and more or less back to normal. Well that was a gross exaggeration ! Consultant isn't seeing me until nearly 8 weeks. Won't allow me to drive before 8 weeks and not back to work before 10 weeks.
I have to agree once you overdo things I know I pay the price for a couple of days afterwards. So I will slow down.
Thank you again
Sandra xxx
It could well be psychological - this operation and recovery really do affect us in many ways both physically and mentally. I am no stranger to these problems 
which can strike you at any time.
I have always had a positive attitude, and never suffered depression before this recovery. Righ now I am concerned what my new surgeon will tell me next month, which is affecting my memory and ability at work.
Just take things slowly - the recovery can be long and difficult.
Best wishes
Graham
Hi Sandra
Sorry had finger trouble and then it threw me out as put in
wrong pssword!
Anyway I have been reading the forum for past few weeks, very informative and great to know so many are also going thorugh this!
I am also almost 6 weeks in THR on left hip . I had a simple fall in March this year and fracturesd neck of femur which I had a DHS ( Dynamic
Hip Screw ) with plates and screws inserted . Followed instructions as per surgeon 6 weeks on crutches , was limping badly although I returned to work , was driving and just tried my best to get back to normal . The pain in groin then started and also acute pain where the hip screw was , after an X ray was confirmed that I had AVN ( avacular necrosis) and I would then need a full hip replacement . Was placed on waitig list at local hospital and then the pain kicked in big time , as the screws were moving and pressing on the bone
the pain was horrendous . Repeatedly called Surgeon and managed to get done within 3 weeks . this was on the 9th Sept . All went well I had a spinal block and was up the next day on zimmerr , on crtches the day after and home day after that . The awful pain was gone what a releif so now just to recuperate . I Read the posts on here and then panic that Im not at same stage as some people ! was told to use crutches for 6 weeks but am partial weght bearing and stepping fuly on feet . Am using one crutch around the house and actually feel that I could walk unaided but am scared to . ! I too like Sandra wont see surgeon for 8 weeks after op s he is on holiday . Yesterday I got brave and decided to drive ffor a short distance to see how it was , was so fed up sitting at home . . Felt ok but last night felt / imagined pain in leg /hip so am now scared to do again . Hve been doing the exercises as told but am scared of doing too much ? Read about people walking 2 miles etc ? ! is there a hapy medium ? sorry for long post lol
Gosh - you are so hard on yourself! I think gaining confidence to walk again will take time. Think of all the bad habits we've formed trying to avoid pain. We all recover at different rates. As long as recovery
is happening, we are doing fine. Plus we will have off days...we did before anything was wrong with our hips! Upwards and onwards!
Hi yes you are probably right ! thnk Im just worrying unduly ! scared of dislocation but think I need to be more positive . Its been a long 7 months and feel like im repeating the recovery process again . ill get there in the end!Thank you!
Tried 3 times to reply to you last night. Problem on this site every time. What I would say is that recovery for me is a roller coaster. 3 steps forward 1 back lol. Different pains in different places. Sleeping either ok or a nightmare.
Everybody on the same journey but all different Jan. Don't measure by what anyone else says.
Love and best wishes
Sandra.
Hi Sandra
Yes I had problems too ! anyway goot there in the end !
I had noticed that your job is similar to mine , I work in an Older Peoples team in Social Work dept and drive around and go in peoples houses to do assessments . I am still off sick althogh feeling a lot better now . Like you not seeng surgeon until 3rd Nov as he is on holiday so Im just going to stay on one crutch till then . Think Im just worried that something else will be wrong as Ive had set backs in last 7 months and felt that I did everything I could to aid recovery but what happened was out of my hands just bad luck ! Feel like Im going i the right direction now but am also sceptical and scared of pushing myself too hard re exercises etc . Sleeping was a nightmare , slightly better now althouugh I waken up a lot most I sleep is 4 hrs now which is a lot better than when I first came home was lucky to sleep for an hour or two . getting little twinges in thigh and groin , them im like oh mustve done too much need to rest lol Thanks for replying this site is great gret loads info and people seem very supportive
Thanks!