When anyone goes through surgery, their body takes a lot of tolls. In the case of hip replacement surgery, it isn’t any different. An individual’s day-to-day activities are halted, and even simple tasks like tying shoe laces become difficult.
Thus, it is natural to wonder, how long after hip replacement can I tie my shoes? Well, it takes around 6-8 weeks to be ultimately able to tie your shoelaces after your hip replacement surgery, and the duration may vary depending on the technique used in the surgery. But during this period, you must take the necessary precautions.
This article will cover the shoe-tying process after hip replacement and aspects that will ensure comfort. To know more, let us jump right into the discussion.
How Long After Hip Replacement Can I Tie My Shoes?
The duration of regaining the ability to tie the shoes depends on the process used in the hip replacement. That said, there are two widely followed approaches for hip replacement surgery. Both of these approaches are discussed below:
Traditional Approach
The first approach is the traditional or posterior approach, which involves a lot of surgical stuff. In this process, the surgeon cuts the surrounding muscles and tendons initially. When the surgery is over, they reattach these muscles.
Here is the muscle that needs to be cut is the tensor fascia lata. It is a kind of wide fibrous soft tissue which a surgeon can find in the upper thigh region. Another muscle attached to the fascia lata, the large gluteus maximus muscle, gets cut.
Sometimes some tiny and short muscles that work as the external rotators of the hip also need to be cut under this approach. These muscles provide hip movement stability, a replacement often requiring adjustments.
In addition, this process gives surgeons a better view of the hip joints, so they can perform surgical tasks more effectively. But this posterior method involves a long rehab process, and it can take up to 6-8 weeks for a patient to heal entirely like before.
As a precautionary measure, bending is also discouraged for a patient who underwent this surgery. Moreover, the healing time can vary depending on the patient’s age, lifestyle, or physical activity.
Anterior Approach
It is the approach that involves the least amount of surgical tasks. A surgeon uses an incision on the frontal part of the hip and works between the muscles by pushing instead of cutting them.
The whole process makes it look more like a natural separation method. But the main challenge here are that surgeons will have a limited view of the hip joints, and that is why to carry out this method, an experienced surgeon is essential.
Since this method involves the least amount of surgery, the healing is faster than the posterior method. It would take approximately 2-3 weeks to heal considerably after hip replacement surgery. Even the patient can engage in various mild activities during the healing process.
How To Wear And Remove Shoes After A Hip Replacement?
Precaution is a must after any type of surgery to avoid further problems. In the case of hip replacement surgery, you also need to take measures that reduce the chances of dislocation.
Especially wearing shoes after the surgery can be a tricky task. The process of wearing and removing the shoe is described below:
- Use a shoe horn on the back of the shoe.
- Slip your foot into the shoe by keeping the shoe horn static with the heel.
- Slide the shoe horn out when the heel touches the bottom part of the shoe.
- Use the shoe horn on the tongue region of the shoe.
- Slowly pull out your feet from the shoe to remove the shoes altogether.
What Kind Of Shoes To Wear After Hip Replacement?
Not every kind of shoe would be suitable for your feet after hip replacement. You should cautiously consider the type of shoes. After a hip replacement surgery, the kinds of shoes you can wear are listed below:
Sneakers
The sneakers that enable snug fit on the foot are a good choice after hip replacement. Sneakers usually allow smooth slipping of the feet and that’s the top priority of patients.
That said, wearing a sneaker would be possible with a helping aid like a long shoe horn or through the assistance of a caregiver.
Running Shoes
Most running shoes come with comfortable constructions, and the materials used in them have soft and comforting elements that will not cause a painful situation.
These shoes focus on a flexible fitting rather than a slim fit. That is why people who go through hip replacement can wear them with a good fit. But they should avoid shoes that are true to size.
Factors To Consider For Selecting Shoes After Hip Replacement
Wearing shoes is necessary even for the slightest of movements. But after the hip replacement surgery, you can’t wear every type of shoe.
The shoes must have a low flat and a wide heel. If you want to wear shoes with heels, make sure those aren’t over 2 inches. Besides, the shoes shouldn’t come with spikes and ensure you have the highest level of comfort.
That said, here are some of the factors to consider while choosing a shoe for wearing after hip replacement:
Shoe Construction
The shoe’s design and shape and the materials used matter a lot. After hip replacement, you need to wear shoes that provide utmost comfort, and a comfortable construction shoe can ensure this.
While selecting shoes, you need to avoid all those uncomfortable shoes. Your choices should be such that they will not hamper your foot movement and cause no obstructions.
Lightweight
To ensure smooth and natural walking, you should choose lightweight shoes. These types of shoes provide flexibility while moving and ease the walking pattern.
Moreover, the advantage of movement wearing a lightweight shoe is unprecedented.
Resistance
It is a must feature that you should look into the shoe you want to buy. The core trait of this feature is that having this in your shoe will alleviate the chance of drastic falls or trips.
In this regard, the shoe’s sole should be rigid enough to support your feet, and the heel construction should also have a decent amount of shock absorption capacity.
FAQ’s
Any surgery can bring a lot of questions to anyone’s mind. That goes the same for hip replacement surgery. Some of the most pondered queries by people are listed below:
Can I Bend To Put On Socks After Hip Replacement Surgery?
You will be able to bend after a hip replacement surgery but not beyond certain degrees. Bending beyond 60-90 degrees before six weeks of surgery is not recommended.
Can I Sit On A Chair After A Hip Replacement?
It is possible to sit on a chair but only on chairs that allow a straight back. You should strictly avoid zero-gravity chairs and sofas.
Is It Possible To Walk After Hip Replacement Surgery?
Walking after hip replacement surgery is recommended after six weeks of healing. But even during that period, a patient should not walk more than 100 yards daily.
What Are Some Common Problems While Wearing Shoes After Hip Surgery?
Some of the common problems of wearing shoes after hip replacement surgery are as follows:
- Wearing low heels can even cause discomfort sometimes during the healing process
- Wearing flip-flops can cause some swelling on the feet
- Wearing true-to-size shoes can result in stiffness and discomfort for the patient.
Conclusion
Going through surgery takes a lot of toll on the body. The healing process takes a considerable amount of time, and you have to take necessary precautions.
Moving your hip after a particular type is possible if you abide by the surgeon’s directives. Also, if the healing duration matters, you must consult appropriately with the surgeon about the surgery approach.
Moreover, the journey from hip replacement to healing requires patience and discipline. You must follow all the things prescribed by your surgeon or physician.
