One of the biggest fears people have about joint replacement surgery is that it might keep them from participating in their favourite sports and physical activities. Following your exercise program is a critical component of home care, particularly during the first few weeks after surgery. Proper exercise is essential for regaining strength, flexibility, and mobility after joint replacement surgery. You can still remain active after surgery, although you may have to limit or avoid certain activities.
In general terms you should be able to resume most normal light activities of daily living within 3 – 6 weeks after surgery. Some discomfort with activity and during the night are common for 6 weeks.
Daily Activities
Sitting
Use a chair with a high seat and preferably with arms. Avoid crossing legs. Do not bend excessively when getting in or out of a chair. Use a raised toilet seat.
Showering
Shower either standing or sitting in a high chair.
Sleeping
Continue to sleep on your back with a pillow between your legs initially. As pain allows, you may move to sleeping on your side with a pillow between legs, generally up to 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Walking
Your surgeon and physiotherapist will determine the amount of weight you can tolerate. You will typically be provided with detailed instructions on how to achieve that amount of weight bearing. You may require a walking aid to take home - this will depend on your specific needs and will be assessed in conjunction with your physiotherapist.
Stairs
The general rule is you go up the stairs holding on to the hand rail with one hand and with your crutch/stick aid in the other hand.
When Walking Up Stairs
You always put your non-operated leg up first then operated leg and walking aid together.
When Walking Down Stairs
You need to step down on your operated leg (walking aid down first) followed by your nonoperated leg.
Car Travel
Your physiotherapist will demonstrate how best to get in and out of the car. You should not drive until advised by your surgeon - it may be 4-6 weeks after surgery. If you are taking a long trip you are advised to stop and take a short walk every 45 minutes. It may help to raise yourself up with a pillow to sit on.
Exercises
Continue frequent short walks, increasing distance as tolerated. Use crutches/walking aids as instructed until the post-operative review with your surgeon.
Sexual Activity
Sexual activity can be safely resumed 4-6 weeks after surgery, you must however, remember safe leg positioning. Your physiotherapist or doctor can answer other questions you may have.
Sports and Activities
Your new prosthesis is designed for activities of daily living, not high impact sports. Walking, swimming and cycling are recommended. High impact sports, such as jogging or running, playing tennis, repeated climbing and heavy lifting may impair or compromise the function and long-term success of your joint and therefore should be avoided.
Returning to Work
You should not return to work until advised by your surgeon. It will depend on the type of work you goback to. The reason for this is that your personal safety is the main concern and everyone recovers at different rates after having a general anesthetic.
Diet
There are no restrictions to your diet. However, it is important to bear in mind that you have just undergone major surgery, so make sure you eat plenty of healthy food. Try and drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
