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assistive devices mentioned will be supplied for you by the
Occupational Therapist.
Sitting:
Use
a firm straight-back chair. If it is not high enough, use
an additional cushion and a seat board. Do not sit in chairs
if the seats are lower than your knees. Do not use reclining
chairs, rocking chairs, low stools, low and soft sofas or
couches. Don't sit on the floor; don't sit or stand or lie
with your legs crossed.
Dressing:
Don't
lift your knee higher than your hip on the side of the surgery.
You will be taught to use a long shoehorn, a sock or stocking
aid, a dressing stick, and elastic shoelaces. Use of this
equipment will help you avoid the positions which are known
to be dangerous, and which were listed on the first page.
Personal
Hygiene: Do
not sit on the bottom of the tub. Use a bench in the tub,
or take a shower standing up. A long-handled sponge will
help you wash your legs and feet. Use the raised toilet
seat: most toilets are too low, forcing you to sit with
the operated leg too high.
Reaching:
Use
the long reacher if you have dropped something onto the
floor. Or, if you can, leave it there and wait for someone
else to get it for you.
Automobile
Travel: Don't
take long trips without planned stops for changing position.
Sit in the front, with as much leg room as possible. Avoid
any car so small you have to stoop to get into it. Get into
the Car Backwards: Sit down facing the curb. Slide back
onto the seat while your legs are straight, and still outside
the car. Swing your legs around into the car gently, and
face forward. If necessary, lift the operated leg into position
with your hands.
Don't
plan to drive your own car too soon. If you have an automatic
shift and have had surgery on the left hip, you should not
think about driving for 6-8 weeks post-surgery. If your
surgery was on the right hip, you should wait 8-10 weeks
before driving. With a stick-shift car, you should not drive
for 10-12 weeks after either R or L hip surgery.
If
you have questions about the surgery or your own personal
timetable for performance of any activity, be certain to
talk to your doctor.
In
order to avoid dislocating your new hip, you must not stress
the joint in the extremes of its motions. This can be done
if you keep in mind the following precautions:
- Do
not bend your hip more than 90°. For example:
do not lift the knee on the operated leg higher than the
hip when sitting. Do not bend or squat to pick things
up off the floor.
- Do
not bring the operated leg (knee) past the midline of
your body (pelvis). For example: do not cross your
legs. Take care not to shift your pelvis sideways without
also moving your legs - pivot on your bottom instead.
- Do
not stress your hip in extremes of rotation. For example:
do not cross your ankles. Do not put the foot of the operated
leg on the opposite knee, or bring it to the outside.
Keep feet pointed forward.
Your
Occupational Therapist will teach you special techniques
and the use of assistive devices which will be supplied,
to be sure you accomplish your daily living activities safely
and independently. Be sure to ask your therapist if you
have questions about any of the self-care procedures you
will be taught.
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