Daily activities after Hemiarthroplasty

Occupational Therapy Daily activities after Hip Hemiarthroplasty Introduction Your doctor or therapists would have informed you of hip movements to avoid after your surgery. These hip precautions are given to protect your wound and prevent dislocation of your operative hip for the first few months. The following are ways you can conduct your daily activities while adhering to the precautions.

Lying in bed 

Place a pillow between your legs when resting on your side.

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Shift up or down while lying on your back in bed: Straighten your operated leg, bend only the nonoperated leg to help you move up or down the bed.

Getting up from bed 

Move your body to the edge of the bed on the operated side.

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Use your arms to push yourself into a sitting position.

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Bring both legs over the edge of the bed.

Getting up/ Sitting down on a chair 

Sit on a firm chair with a back rest and arm rests.

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DO NOT sit on low chairs, stools or sofas; use a firm cushion if the height of the chair is too low.

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Stand to sit: move the operated leg to place it in front of the other leg. Lower yourself onto the chair using the non-operated leg and your arms.

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Sit to stand: move the operated leg to place it in front of the other leg. Use the non-operated leg and your arms to push down on the arm rests to stand.

Reaching for items 

Do not squat to pick up items from the floor. Use a long handled reacher.

Putting on your pants 

Sit to don/doff your pants.

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Putting on pants: Thread the operated leg first.

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Removing pants: Remove the pants from the non-operated leg first.

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DO NOT lean forward or bring the knee of the operated leg up to reach the feet; use a long handled reacher or a dressing stick to help.

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Use a shoe horn to help put on your shoes.

Using the toilet 

DO NOT use a squatting toilet.

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If the toilet seat is too low, use a raised toilet seat. Alternatively, a commode with adjustable seat height can be placed over the toilet.

Taking a shower 

Sit on a stable chair to shower.

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Avoid bending at your hip to wash your feet. Use a washcloth or a long-handled sponge to reach your toes

Getting into a car 

Adjust the front passenger seat all the way to the back and recline the back rest.

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Stand with your back facing the seat.

Position the operated leg in front of the other leg. Use the nonoperated leg and your arms to lower yourself onto the seat.

Use your arms to slide yourself into the seat Lean your body backwards when swinging your legs into the car.

Ensure that the operated hip is not bent more than 90o when getting in and out of a car.

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Disclaimer: Exercises illustrated and instructed in this handout are strictly for designated patient based on the assessment and instruction of the therapist. If you have any doubts, please contact your therapist.

Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities in the north of Singapore, under the National Healthcare Group.

Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.

REHAB.PE.OT.004.0320