September 04th, 2023

Hip Care Tips
for six weeks after your operation

​Do nots:
                        
·       Don’t bend your hip more than 90º ­
·       Don’t sit or lie with your legs crossed at the knees or ankles
·       Don’t jar or force movements at the hip
·       Don’t swivel or twist affected leg 
·       Don’t put pressure on the wound
·       Don’t put weight on your operated leg for long periods
·       Don’t bend forward when getting on and off sitting surfaces

---

The Bath
Avoid sitting in the bath for the first six - eight weeks.  If 
you do not have a shower we will order a bath board 
for you and you will be instructed how to get in and out of 
the bath.

---

Showering
We can arrange for you to have a high shower stool  in order to take weight off the operated leg and to reduce the chance of falling.

---

Dressing

• Sit on a high chair with arms to reduce the chance of falling
• Always put pants on operated leg first. 
• For six weeks after surgery you will need equipment or someone to help with dressing below the waist.

---

​Use aids from your long handled kit to avoid bending eg

• sock/stocking aid
• long handled shoe horn
• pick up tongs

 
Elastic shoe laces are available.

---

The Bed

• Make sure your bed is high enough for you to stand up without excessive hip bending.

• Bed raisers can be fitted if required.
• Lie on your back or on the unoperated side with a pillow between your knees as instructed by your physiotherapist.
• Fold your blankets to the side of the bed so you do not have to bend forward at the hips to pull the blankets over you

---

Sitting

• Avoid low chairs without arms
• Platform chair raisers can be used to adapt your favourite chair

---

Kitchen and other work areas

• When on crutches a trolley may be used to move objects around the room.
• Perch on a high stool  to take the weight off your operated leg while you work.  
• Do not bend down -  store everyday items within easy reach.

The car
 
Follow your surgeon’s advice about driving
​

---

To get into a car put your bottom on the seat and swing your feet into the car. 
To get out of car swing legs out gently and then stand up holding onto stabilised car door

​Stairs  NB  Good leg (leads) up to heaven.  Bad leg (leads down) to hell.
 
Sports/Hobbies
Check with your surgeon before restarting active sports or hobbies ie cycling, gardening, bowls.
 
Sexual Activity
Ensure any sexual activity does not place any strain on your operated hip and that your hip 
doesn’t bend greater than 90º for at least three months post-operatively.
 
Home Help
If you require assistance with meal preparation and/or home help ask your hospital nurse.