Length of time for full recovery

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I am 50 years old and had a THR of the left hip 7 weeks ago. I expect that my right hip will be replaced within the next year. I am confused about how long it will take before there are no movement restrictions. Can anyone tell me how long it will be before I am able to reach to the floor-(retrieve fallen articles), or sit or lie on a beach blanket or low chair? I understand that some activities are not ever a good idea (such as skiing or jogging).

-- Joanne Long (joannelong@comcast.net), March 03, 2003

Answers

Joanne, my situtation is very close to yours. I've been picking up things from the floor for weeks. The critical things to avoid are excessive weight bearing and making a 90 bend at the hip of the operated leg. If you hold the operated leg behind you, in the air, you can bend the unaffected knee and the waste without trouble. Of course, you'll need to make sure that you are holding securely onto something stable.

-- Trish Main (tmain@shaw.ca), March 09, 2003.

Restrictions are necessary permanently. Yet we may typically relax the restrictions a few months after surgery.

-- Timothy S. Johnson, M.D. (tjohns55@jhmi.edu), April 23, 2003.

Thank you for your response. Perhaps I am confusing restrictions with post surgical precautions. I have already been given permission to reach for articles on the floor, sit in a low chair, or sit on a blanket on the beach. Is anyone aware of any permanent restrictions other than skiing, jogging,or playing tennis?

-- Joanne Long (joannelong@comcast.net), April 23, 2003.

I would like an answer to my question I now in the 10 week after surgy I have painful lower back pain ans sorness in the musles down the side of my leg, does this usually happen with hip replacements I live in the country and it is quite a distance to get to a doctor, is this normal?

-- Val (jtownsend@xtra.nz.co), September 29, 2003.

I am now recovering from my second hip replacement surgery which was done on Sep 3rd. This would be the first THR for my right hip. My left hip was replaced this past January. I do suffer from some pain in the tailbone area and also of the knee in general. This tends to happen only when I've been in the same position for long periods of time - mostly when I've been sleeping for a while. I find that changing from lying down to sitting (or vice versa) helps. I also think that the physical therapy that I'm required to do helps as well. I would certainly call the surgeon who performed your THR and ask if your symptoms are normal. Good luck with your recovery! I know that this is not an easy thing to go through.

-- Joanne Long (joannelong@comcast.net), September 30, 2003.


I am now 14 months and 6 months along since having left and right hips replaced with titanium/ceramic. I can reach the floor and bend low most of the time. I quizzed my surgeon extensively about restrictions and all he could say was watch it and be careful. He couldn't say that there would be any damage from bending beyond 120 degrees, and so far I am fine. I work all day on airplanes and bend over 120 all the time. I am 38 and expect these hips to last 30 years.

-- Mark Baas (flyingpaperclip@juno.com), May 28, 2004.

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