Patient/caregiver was instructed upon lifestyle measures for individuals with history of hip replacement as follows:
- Avoid performing any activities that involve bending down at the hip, at least during the initial phase of hip replacement surgery. Avoid activities, such as, bending or leaning forward, while attempting to sit down or taking a shower. Avoid bending down to pick dropped items from the floor. This can not only result in dislodgement of the artificial joint, but also compromise balance and invite a fall risk in individuals with recent hip replacement surgery. The general rule is to avoid bending at the waist beyond 90 degrees. Using furniture with elevated seat or using blankets to elevate the furniture seat artificially can help prevent excessive bending at the surgical hip and consequent dislodgement. Use of a long-handled bath sponge in shower can help clean the legs, lower body, and other parts difficult to reach, thus avoiding the stress of bending down and fall risk. Use of a long-handled reacher can help pick any dropped items off the floor.
- Avoid performing any activities that involve turning the hip excessively inward or outward, at least during the initial phase of hip replacement surgery. This activity can result in dislodgement of the artificial hip joint and delay recovery & rehab.
- Maintain a healthy height – weight ratio. Overweight and obesity can result in putting undue stress on the artificial joint and thereby compromise the lifespan of the prosthetic. Overweight and obese individuals undergoing hip replacement must check with their physician on their healthy weight range and follow appropriate measures for programmed weight loss. Also, individuals undergoing hip replacement must check with their surgeon on their allowance for lifting/carrying weight, as heavyweights can add undue stress to the joint and compromise the lifespan of the joint.
