Revision Hip Surgery

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Following surgery for hip replacement, the surrounding muscles and tissues require time to heal. During this period, it is essential that you avoid any harmful movements which may cause stress on your “new hip” and result in this dislocating. Your Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist will advise you on the safe positioning of your hip during activities of daily living.

It must be stressed that the routine rehabilitation plan after a hip replacement may vary from hospital to hospital and is specific to the individual. Please ask your therapist if you have any concerns about coping at home after your surgery.

Slide objects along the work surface rather than carrying them (i.e. hot drinks) where
If you need to carry items to the table, different methods and equipment may be suggested by your Occupational Therapist.
Do not attempt any heavy housework, such as hoovering, for at least six

Hip Precautions

Do not bend the operated hip beyond 90° (a right angle).

Do not bend forwards too far or bring your knee up too far towards your
Avoid sitting on low furniture and ensure your knees are never higher than your Avoid seats that slope backwards.
Do not bend forwards to pick up objects from the floor, or reach for your feet without using long handled

Do not cross your legs

Your operated leg must not cross the midline of your
Do not sit with your legs crossed at the knee or the ankle and keep your operated foot straight ahead or out to the side.
You are advised to sleep on your back and not on your A pillow between your legs will help you to maintain this position.

Do not twist or rotate your hip

When walking or turning, always keep your toes and kneecap pointing straight

Getting in and out of bed

Whenever possible try to get in/out of bed on the same side as your operated hip with your operated leg out in front of you. Your Occupational Therapist will advise you of the height requirement of your bed and may be able to arrange for it to be made higher if necessary. A high, firm bed is recommended.

Place yourself in a sitting position on the edge of the
Using your upper body strength and leaning slightly backwards, slide your buttocks towards the
Begin to lift your un-operated leg onto the bed allowing your operated leg to
Use the heel of your un-operated leg and upper body strength to reposition
When getting out of bed, reverse the above technique remembering not to roll onto your operated

Please note this will be demonstrated to you on admission.

Getting in and out of a chair

Remember to sit in a stable, height-appropriate chair with armrests. If your chair is too low, the Occupational Therapist may be able to assess for this to be raised. Therefore, it is important you provide the Occupational Therapist with height measurements of the furniture in your home.

Please note it is not possible to raise all chairs.

Your Therapist will discuss options with you.

Back up to the chair until you feel the back of your knees touching it.

Place your operated leg out as you reach back for the

Lower yourself slowly, keeping your back straight and your operated leg out in front of you.

When standing up, bring your bottom forward in the chair, keeping your hip positioned at 90°. Push up using the armrests, again keeping your operated leg out in front of you.
Do not use your walking frame to pull yourself from sitting to standing as it will
Initially the operated leg may be placed on a footstool, as long as it is not higher than the

Getting on and off the toilet

Back up to the toilet until you feel the back of your knees touching Reach back for the edge of the raised toilet seat or the arms of a free standing toilet frame (if available) with your operated leg out in front of you. Your Occupational Therapist will arrange for you to have a raised toilet seat and/or toilet frame if required. If you have a rail at home you may be able to use this instead of a toilet frame.
Bend your un-operated knee and hip and lower yourself onto the
Reverse the procedure when Place hand on the edge of the toilet seat or arms of the toilet frame, remembering to keep the operated leg extended. If you have a toilet frame, ensure you push up evenly through both arms.

Do not use your walking frame to pull yourself from sitting to standing as it will tip.

Getting in and out of a car

Use the front passenger Have the seat as far back as possible and the backrest angled so that it is partially reclined.
With passenger door open, back up to the car until you feel the seat against the back of your

Facing away from the car, before sitting, put your left hand on the top of the passenger seat for support and, with the door window fully open, grip the open door window frame with your right hand. Have someone hold the door to prevent it closing towards you.

Gently lower yourself down, remembering to keep your operated leg Lift yourself backwards, moving your bottom towards the driver’s seat. You may find this easier with a plastic bag on the seat to reduce any friction and aid in swivel.

While you are leaning backwards, carefully lift your leg and slide into the car.

If the car seat is low or slopes backwards, raise or level it out with a
You must get into the car from road or drive level, not from the

Driving

You will not be able to drive for a minimum of 6 weeks After this time please ask your Consultant for advice.
You are advised to contact your insurance company to inform them of your

Flying

Most airlines insist you wait 6 weeks after a hip replacement before flying. We advise that you check with your insurance company.

Bathing and Showering

It is not advisable to get into a bath, even to use an overhead shower as it involves bending and twisting movements of the Even if you have a bathboard, most people are unable to use it without bending their hip too far.
If you do not have a walk-in shower or shower cubicle you will have to have a strip-down
To wash below your knees, you will either have to use a long handled sponge or ask someone to do this for
If you have a step into your shower cubicle, negotiate this using the way taught by your
If you have a seat in your shower, ensure it is the height recommended by your Occupational If not, you will not be able to use it.
Assistance from carers to wash and dress yourself may be arranged once you are admitted to the ward if

Dressing

Always dress your operated leg first and undress it
Sit in a chair or on the bed; have all your clothing and dressing aids within easy
Place the hook of your long handled shoehorn through the operated leg side of your underwear and hook the underwear to the shoehorn.
Lower the long handled shoehorn down the operated leg and feed underwear over your

Bring underwear up to knee level and then dress the un-operated leg in your normal manner, remembering not to bend forwards too far. You may also use the shoe horn or helping hand to dress this leg if required.

If wearing trousers, use the long handled shoehorn or helping hand to lower your trousers onto the Slip the trouser leg over your operated leg first, and then do the same for your non-operated leg. If your trousers have belt loops, put the hook of the shoehorn through the loop and then lower the trousers to the floor.
Pull your trousers and underwear above knee level before standing to adjust If you wear braces, place these on your shoulders prior to standing.
When undressing remove your trousers/undergarments from the non-operated leg first, and reverse the above steps.

After the operation

Sport

After 12 weeks you can return to certain sports. Walking and swimming are excellent but sports that require jogging and jumping are not, e.g. football, squash, tennis, athletics.

Do take small steps when turning
Do continue the exercises shown by the physiotherapist for at least 3
Do use your walking aid for as long as
Do go for regular walks when you go home and try to increase the distance a little each
Do watch your Being overweight puts an unnecessary strain on your new hip.
Do contact you GP at once if you develop an infection anywhere in or on your body as it is essential to have it treated.
You may have swelling to your operated leg post op, elevate your leg but consider hip
Do inform staff that you have had a joint replacement before any invasive treatment, g. Dentist.

You will also receive a follow up telephone call from the Community Physiotherapist approximately 2-3 weeks after your discharge from hospital. They will check on your progress and address any concerns you may have. You may be seen by physiotherapy in the community or the outpatient department to check on your progress. Your consultant or his team in outpatients will also review you.

Returning of Equipment Lent to You

Any items of equipment given to you by the Occupational Therapist must be returned when you feel they are no longer required.