Bending to put on socks, pick up things from floor, etc

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Exactly how much can someone bend upper and lower body 6+ weeks post THR?  My surgeon only said to be careful in bending legs.  

2

Hi haven't had my op yet 10 days to go but I understand the restrictions you are having I have been using a sock aid and pick up grabber thing for months now and fully expect to carry on with them for sometime after surgery.

3

I was told I could touch my toes if wanted after my op. Although I was careful for around four weeks. Bending at the knees I did not worry about at all. 

4

My friend was 4 wks post op when she dropped a bar of soap in the shower. Bent down to pick it up and dislocated her hip. I was told to give it 6 months.

5

Advice varies, especially between posterior and anterior approach operations.

This risk graph from my website shows that you are at high risk to start with, and it doesn't fully reduce for some time. 

I had my wife put my socks and shoes on at first until I could use the sock aid. I used a grabber for a long time as I didn't want to dislocate.

I did note that when we went on holiday, my insurance company asked if, and how many times I had dislocated, so it seems there may be a higher cost of insurance after dislocating.

6

At 8 weeks I was told all restrictions were lifted. I’m relaxed but careful if that makes sense?! I still can’t seem to tie my shoelaces on my operated side but feels like stiffness or a lack of flexibility to me. I think I need to refer myself back to the physio for exercises for improving this. 

7

I am 75 and about 7 weeks post op. I have been bending with no restrictions from day 1. My surgeon taught at Stanmore and he told me immediately after my op all bending and sleeping restrictions had been lifted. I was careful but I believed him and bent down whenever I needed to. 

8

Hi ducksoup,

Greetings from Exeter!

As Rocketman and others say, advice given by hospitals vary hugely. The chances of dislocation are serious and possible, but statistically very rare.....

The grabber given me by hospital was useful...indeed I purchased a second one to have one on each floor!

The sox putter-on tho, was hopeless, but my lovely partner did it for me for 4 weeks b4 l could do own sox

Good luck, all will be well in the end. Some of us fine to play badminton at 8 weeks and others 80 weeks. Exercise to get that new hip going, but rest too

Warmly

Mic

PS. Wonder g if Andy Murray had a THR?!

9

I have a sock aid and will start to use it again.  I am careful when picking things up.  In swimming, I swim laps wearing fins.  For now I will keep it to 30 minutes for 6 months prior to increasing.  My brother dislocated his hip a few years back and for him it was pretty painful. .I don’t want to go there.

10

I started swimming again yesterday but fear increasing it over 35 minutes right now.  Also riding my bicycle a bit in town.  Generally I am careful picking things up and plan to stay that way.  I have no difficulty putting on socks.  At first I used a sock helper then carefully sat and reached do wn to put on shoes and socks

11

Glad you are doing well Sarah, I had my op on Jan 13 and restrictions are a bind but I am sticking to them. Just wonder why restrictions haven't been restricted elsewhere ? 

12

Hi Mary,

My surgeon trained at Stanmore and apparently it was Stanmore that recently dropped all restrictions for the posterior approach. I don't know why other hospitals haven't followed suit but I suppose they will all be of the same mind sooner or later.

13

I had posterior approach and had no restrictions. However I was careful in bending anyway. I was told not to shift along and twist while sitting, which I probably have never done in my life anyway. 

14

Hi Sarah,

Greetings - yes I've heard Stanmore were good and relaxy: my first resurfacing at Oxford, and the second by THR at Exeter (sadly no resurfacing here!), were fine, and similarly few restrictions given me, rather a suggested time plan for doing things, and NEVER bunji jumping!

15 years post that resurfacing, 2 yrs postthe  Exeter unique THR all is well, and I'm back to 5K running, 10K soon, gym, and walking on Dartmoor.

People on this site are a bit cautious, and there is another page for THR folk who are a crazily over-active, like post THR downhill skiing, but in the middle is rest n exercise, and be happy with wonderful new hips!

Paix

Mic

x

 

15

Hi Mic wondering the same about AM think he had a 'clean up' of the joimy although think a replacement will be on the cards in the future hope he recover well and gets back on court soon. Big fan of grabbers couldn't cope without so far and I am still pre op. Cheers

16

Thanks Sarah, hope other hospitals follow suit before I have my other hip done ! 

17

Dear Maddy

I've found elastic laces made life a lot easier along with a long handled shoe horn.  Although I've not needed to take care for a long time I have not bothered to remove the elastic laces as they make life so much easier!

Cheers, Richard

18

Being very active and having worn running shoes for many years, I was amazed and happy that Solomon invented elastic laces and the Chinese copy them now.  I love them.  When getting out of the hospital and during medical rounds I attempted to tell the nurse that I was going to put elastic laces on my shoes (cordones elásticos) and she argued with me that that wouldn’t work.  The Surgeon,  interns, etc were all shaking their heads at her insistence.  Now they can be purchased on Amazon.com for a couple of Euros a pair.  

19

Thank you for that!

20

I use grabber for most pick up. Helps a lot, too, at times when my energy level is low when I'm getting undressed/dressed. We had grabbers prior to surgery. They're very inexpensive ones so have them in different locations.

I also use it to move dog toys away from my walking path.