Basic Guidelines and Restrictions

1. Do not bend over past a 90 degree angle until your PT specifically tells you it is all right to do so. Normally this will be at least for 6 weeks, sometimes even longer. You may dislocate your hip if you try to do so prematurely. You will need to get assistance to put on your shoes and stockings, pick things up off the floor, etc. The most common mistake patients make is twisting their body while keeping one leg still. This can dislocate the hip as easily as twisting the leg and keeping the body still.
2. During rehabilitation, avoid situations and activities that place extraordinary stress upon the hip or leg such as running, jumping and high-impact or strenuous exercises. Let your partner do the bending and twisting during sexual activity.
3. Put only the amount of weight on your operative hip and leg as instructed by your physician or PT.
4. Don't rotate your hip when lying or walking, but keep it in a neutral position, facing straight ahead.
5. Don't cross your legs when lying, standing or sitting and don't stand with your toes turned inward.
6. Don't lie on your side without a pillow between your legs.
7. When rising from a chair, first move to the edge of the seat. Place the majority of your weight on your unaffected leg. Place your affected in front.
8. When climbing stairs, lead with you unaffected leg. When descending, lead with your affected leg.
9. Wear strong, low-heeled shoes that will provide good support.
10. Walk every day, at least 200 feet per day.

Pain

Before you leave the hospital, your surgeon will probably give you a prescription for a medication to alleviate discomfort. The nurse will explain how and when to use it. While discomfort and swelling are normal, you should contact your surgeon if you experience increased discomfort, pain or swelling.

Special Precautions

Watch for changes around your incision and contact your surgeon if you develop any of the following symptoms:

1. Drainage and/or foul odour from incision.
2. Fever/temperature above 100.4 degrees or 38 degrees Celsius for two days.
3. Pain, redness or swelling.

It will always be important to protect this new part of your body from infection.

If you ever have any of the following procedures, you will need antibiotics before these procedures to help protect the joint from the possibility of infection.

1. Cystoscopy, colonoscopy or proctoscopy.
2. Dental work, including teeth cleaning.
3. Surgery of any kind.
4. Urinary catheterization.

If you have any infection in any part of your body, contact your physician.

Special Note

Occasionally, a prosthetic device such as your hip may set off the alarm at the airport security device. Your surgeon may provide you with a special airline card (Hip passport)to identify you as a person having a prosthetic device.