Life with your new hip
One of the main reasons of having a hip replacement is to regain the quality of life you enjoyed before your hip became a problem. To this end we encourage people to be as active and mobile as possible with their new hip. This includes participation in sport and outdoor activities.
However it is also important to remember that a hip replacement is an artificial joint and is never quite the same as a natural hip. Unlike a natural hip it cannot heal itself if something is strained or breaks. It can also wear or loosen with time, and this is more likely if you are particularly active. A sense of compromise and a balance between activity and over use is also necessary.
The following advice applies once you are fully weight bearing and have been passed as fit to return to normal activities (usually between 6 and 12 weeks after the operation):
Work
Most people are ready to return to office based or sedentary jobs at 6 to 8 weeks after their operation. People with heavier jobs, such as farming, nursing or building work, usually need to wait for about 3 months before going back, although they may be ready for lighter duties, or supervisory roles, before then. As you are not allowed to drive for the first 6 weeks, jobs involving driving cannot restart until 6 to 8 weeks at the earliest.
People can get back to almost any type of job after a hip replacement. If you have a heavy manual job, consider which tasks you can delegate, or aids you can use, to protect your hip in the longer term.
Driving
Driving a car is not permitted for 6 weeks after a hip replacement, and travelling as a passenger during this time is best avoided. Getting in and out of a car risks straining the hip and stretching the healing tissues. During the 1st 6 weeks all non essential car journeys should be avoided.
After 6 weeks you can return to driving, but stick to short trips at first.
Flying
Air travel should be avoided for the 1st 6 weeks. When you do fly, for any long haul trips it is a wise precaution to take aspirin (1 tablet a day) for a few days before and after the flight to reduce the risk of blood clots (DVT).
If any prolonged travel (road, rail or air) is planned in the 1st 4 weeks we advise you to speak to your Surgeon or GP, as anti DVT injections may be advisable.
Walking
Walk as far as you like, as soon as it is comfortable. For long distance or cross country walks, a hiking pole or stick may help, especially in the first few months.
Sitting
You no longer need to use a high or raised chair after 6 weeks, but it is always a good idea to avoid very low seats, which may strain your hip, and be difficult to rise from.
Kneeling
This is fine any time after 6 weeks. If they haven’t done so already, ask your physio to show you how to kneel safely (go down on the operated leg, non operated leg forward, and again as you come up). If you have had both hips operated on, hold a support and go down onto both knees together.
Bathing
Stick to the shower for the first 6 weeks. Have someone else to help, if possible, the first time you try the bath. Sit on the side or end of the bath and swing your legs in. Keep your operated leg straight as you get in and out, and lower yourself in and out with your arms.
Sex
This can resume as soon as the wound is healed, and it is comfortable. Avoid positions which risk dislocating the hip, particularly in the 1st few weeks. The missionaries knew best!
Lifting
Avoid anything heavy for the first 6 weeks, and take care as you bend and straighten.
Gardening
Lighter activities, especially working at waist height in the green house or potting shed can begin as soon as is comfortable. Wait 6 weeks before kneeling or bending (see above), and 12 weeks for really heavy work. A garden kneeling stool is often helpful.
Dancing
Feel free to dance and have fun!
Gym / Aerobics
You can start using a tread mill, exercise bike and light weights from about 6 weeks. We don’t recommend using a rowing machine, as this can force the hip into a very bent (flexed) position.
Swimming
You can swim as soon as your wound is fully healed and your muscles are working well (usually about 6 weeks). Swim using any stroke you wish.
Golf
You’ll be in good company in most golf clubs, as many golfers have had a hip or knee replacement. Get back on to the putting green from 6 weeks, but don’t build up to a full game until about 3 months. We can’t guarantee that your handicap will fall though!
Tennis/ Badminton / Cricket
We would not normally recommend getting back to these sports before about 3 months. Learn the expressions “good shot”, “yours” and “well done”!
Squash
Not recommended as the repeated jarring of the joint may lead to early loosening in the long term.
Running
Short distances are fine, but long distances risk wearing the joint and may reduce how long it lasts.
Contact sports (Rugby, football, contact martial arts)
Not advised. Although some high profile celebrities have done so, we do not recommend subjecting an artificial hip to these risks.
Skiing
If you are already a good skier, enjoy it, but be sensible. A bad fall can risk a dislocation or fracture, and the harder the slope the greater the risk. Know your limits, and ski within them. We don’t advise taking up skiing for the first time after a hip (or knee) replacement, as some spectacular falls are almost guaranteed!
Windsurfing / waterskiing
Like skiing, not good new sports to take up after a hip replacement! If you are already competent, and anxious to get back, do so, but be sensible. Deep water starts on a board or mono-ski place great strain on your hips, and should be avoided. Always wear a life jacket, and never go out alone. A bad fall can result in a dislocation, which could be life threatening if help is not at hand.
Sailing
On large boats, get back on board as soon as you can move about freely and comfortably (usually 2 to 3 months after your op).
In smaller dinghies, be careful to avoid extremes of bending or twisting, and follow the usual rules to avoid risking a dislocation. A life jacket is strongly advised. Follow the tips for windsurfing (above).
Above all, enjoy your new hip and the freedom to be active that it gives you. Get out and about, keep fit and take part in almost anything you want to. But be sensible. However good it is, it’s not the same as a natural hip, and needs a little extra care.
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