It is important that you have a comfortable pair of shoes to wear after your operation that offers support around the heel. Low heeled, non slip, slip on shoes are best to wear. NO SCUFFS OR THONGS. Your leg/ foot will swell after your operation so shoes should not be tight.
The best type of shoe to wear after total hip or total knee surgery is one with a low, wide heel. A shoe with good shock absorption is preferred, such as the S.A.S. brand or a tennis shoe. Dress shoes should have a wide heel (no spikes) and not be higher than 2 inches.
It can take upto 6-8 weeks for the tissues to heal and hence the prolonged hip precautions before being able to tie shoe laces, bend down and pick up things, crossing the legs, sleeping on the side or even driving.
It's important to follow these sleeping precautions for 6 to 12 weeks after surgery, depending on your health and personal recovery. The best sleeping position for your hip is to lie on your back with a pillow between your legs.
Many individuals will have excellent pain control as soon as 4 to 6 weeks following surgery. It is common for patients to be tired following a total hip replacement, which is due in part to anesthesia, blood loss, pain, and the necessity of prescription pain medications.
Best Sleeping Positions After Total Hip Replacement
You can also sleep on your non-operative side with two pillows lined between your legs. When you're sleeping on your back, make sure you don't cross your ankles or legs. When you're sleeping on your side, avoid bending your knees.
Putting on socks
Sit on a chair or on the side of the bed. Pull the sock onto the sock aid as you have been shown. Hold the sock in front of the foot on your operated side. Slip your foot into the sock.
Avoid soft chairs, rocking chairs, stools, or sofas. Avoid chairs that are too low. Your hips should be higher than your knees when you are sitting. Sit on a pillow or cushion if you have to.
Remember you can't bend more than 90 degrees in those early days, so ensure everyday items are stored at waist height. It's also worth thinking about hiring a raised toilet seat and a shower chair. Setting up a recovery station is a great way to avoid unnecessarily getting up and down when you're trying to recover.
You can expect to experience some discomfort in the hip region itself, as well as groin pain and thigh pain. This is normal as your body adjusts to changes made to joints in that area. There can also be pain in the thigh and knee that is typically associated with a change in the length of your leg.
Most patients have outstanding success following hip replacement. Your pain disappears after just one surgery, and movement returns to normal. The typical recovery after an anterior hip replacement takes 4-6 weeks.
You should use the raised toilet seat for six weeks following your operation. comply with the hip precautions. Do not use a rocking/swivel chair, as they are unstable and not safe.
You should be able to do light housework, such as dusting and washing dishes. Hire help if you can. Have someone help you with heavy work, such as vacuuming, washing floors, changing bed sheets, cutting the grass, and shovelling snow. Take out small amounts of garbage at a time or have someone take out garbage for you.
One of the most common serious medical complications related to joint replacement surgery is blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot in the leg and is called a deep vein thrombosis. A sudden increase in leg swelling along with calf tenderness may be the first sign of a blood clot in the leg.
The effectiveness of exercises differs from patient to patient. However, walking is generally considered as the best exercise following total hip replacement. This is because it helps to promote hip movement and is a low-impact activity.
Long Recovery Time
The length of recovery from hip fractures among older patients can increase with age. In general, the older individuals are and the greater number of conditions they have, the longer it can take to recover. The recovery time for a hip replacement ranges from four weeks to up to six months.