Regaining Mobility After Surgery

The following are some ways to help incorporate movement after you've had hip replacement surgery. Discuss these techniques with your orthopedist before attempting them. Your physical therapist may modify some of these techniques depending on your particular situation (e.g., age, weight, and procedure).

At first, some movements will put too much strain on your new hip joint and could cause the ball to slip from its socket. A therapist will teach you which movements to avoid. A few of the most risky ones are:

• Sitting
  Don't let your knee cross the midline of your body. Rather, sit with both feet on the floor, with your knees six inches apart.
• Turning
  Don't plant your foot and rotate your new hip inward. Instead, turn both of your feet with your body.
• Bending down
  Instead of bending over from your waist, use a device such as a long-handled grabber to help you.
• Walking with crutches
  Once your muscles are strong enough, your physical therapist may recommend crutches instead of a walker. When using crutches, put your weight on your palms, not your armpits. Don't twist to turn; take small steps instead.