Does anyone know if there are any further restrictions after six weeks post total hip replacement.?

Iam trying to find out what I can do after my 6 week recovery time from a total hip replacement, as my hip is still sore & very stiff, I hope someone can help me with some suggestions.

Hi friend. I don't know what age you are but my mother is going in for a total hip job after she's got over the total knee job. (Enough already!!!!). She is 86 and has been told that she will be in 3 months rehab after the hip job.

In your case you should be receiving physiotherapy and being told not to bend at the hip. Your new joint is cemented in and you need to take care with it all while the cement sets. Of course, what age you are may make things different. If you wish to e-mail me please do and I will offer any further help. In the meantime.....good luck and take it easy.

Thanks Canne. I hope you notice a swift improvement. Good luck. Report It

YOU ALSO CAN'T CROSS YOUR LEGS.. Report It

You CAN bend at the hip, just not past 90 degrees. You cannot cross your legs or point your toes inward. All of these 'hip precautions are in effect for at least 6 months or longer, depending on the dr. I had a complete hip replacement 3 months ago. Report It

Check with your doc's office. To do something without at least phone consulatation could cause a POSSIBLE re-doing. I don't believe you, your doc, or your insurance company(s) would be happy about that.

The bone heals within 6-8 weeks, and if the doctor has allowed you fuul weight bearing on your leg you are allowed to do anything within your own pain limits. In order to diminish stiffness and pain you should exercise progressively.
Walk, with a walking aid if needed, every day. When you do it easily, start climbing stairs.
You can do stretches and strength exercises for your hips, knees and ankles to improve stiffness and pain.
It's very important to be active and work in order to improve and regain function. You can consult a physical therapist if needed.

I'm sure you know that your surgeon is the best source of this kind of information. In the whole scheme of things, 6 weeks does not constitute complete recovery from this surgery. I've had both of my hips replaced in separate surgeries. Each recovery was slightly different.
That said, I guess you still want some kind of direction. Based on my own experience, the movement & positional restrictions were continued up to 3 months. These restrictions included avoiding bending my hip past 90 deg, allowing the operated leg to cross the midline of the body, and internally rotating my hip joint. These were based on the type of surgical approach that was used (posterior) and therefore wouldn't necessarily apply to someone who had a different approach such as anterior. This is why your direction should be set by your doctor & therapist, not me.
Also, soreness and stiffness are a part of the healing and have little to do with restrictions such as I mention above.
My suggestion to you is to keep on doing your PT exercises religiously and if your discomfort continues past 3 months, definitely mention this to your surgeon. For now at the 6 week mark, I assume you might still be receiving outpatient PT so you might mention your discomfort to your therapist; a possibility: the exercises are making you stiff.

Hi! I had a total hip replacement on Jan. 11th...i was in the hospital for 3 days and then a rehab hospital for 10 days.............after that i went to physical therapy 3 times a week which i think really helped! My hip hardly hurts anymore at ALL!!! I am still going to the physical therapy gym and excising!!!!!!!!! OH! Heating pads! Get the one that is moisture, not dry heat. AND EXERCISES, as much as it hurts, do it anyway. And HOT showers always help....i have severe scoliosis which caused all this plus i had to have knee surgery to repair torn ligaments and meniscus. The only thing that still really hurts is my snaky back, just be glad u don't have that. I had my lumber fused in 2005!!!!!!! NO FUN!!!

Keep doing your exercises, and discuss this with your surgeon and/or physical therapist. I am now almost 3 months post - op and I know I need to keep my "hip precautions" until at least 6 months after surgery, maybe longer. You may be trying to do too much. It takes about a year to heal completely from this surgery.
The hip precautions, which are standard are: do not cross legs, do not bend more than 90 degrees from waist, do not point toes inward. All of these movements put more strain on the joint.