If you have had hip replacement surgery, then you know that sometimes the recovery period can be quite painful. It is important for you to know what to do to help eliminate some of the pain that you are experiencing. There are some proven total hip replacement precautions that you must take when you return home from the hospital. After your surgery, you need to know that you will have to follow some of these precautions for the rest of your life. Watching closely how you go about your daily life after surgery will help immensely to control your pain.
You will need to remember that you now have an artificial joint that mimics, but is not as durable, as your own hip joint. You will have to limit some of the activities that you have done in the past. By doing so, you will keep your new hip in the best working order and not get accidentally dislocated. There are certain key positions that you must avoid at all costs to prevent dislocation.
One thing that you cannot do after hip replacement surgery is to cross your legs. Putting on socks is not always easy and is best done by using a hand-held "gripper". Also, when you are resting or asleep you should put a pillow between your legs to prevent them from crossing. Another precaution to take after hip surgery is to be careful not to bend your hip more than 90 degrees. This is especially true when you use the toilet or sit on chairs with deep cushions. In addition to avoiding these positions, it is also important that you keep your toes pointing outward at all times. Following all of the preceding precautions are extremely important, especially during the six weeks immediately following surgery. This is the most critical healing time and you need to do all you can to enhance the healing process so that your new hip implant stays in place.
Total hip replacement precautions need to be followed religiously so that no serious problems occur during healing. You certainly don't want to experience any more pain than you absolutely have to and you definitely don't want to be readmitted to the hospital for additional corrective surgery.
