90 degrees

[papalagidiver]

So what is the deal with the 90 degrees angle to protect your implant?  It seems like my surgeon told me to not to cross 90 degrees for life and if I do, keep my knees wide apart. Is he being overcautious or is it for real. If so, I would have to make serious changes to my life style, like sailing for example.  Working on the boat requires lots of kneeling, bending over and crawling in tight spaces and it is not always possible to keep your knees apart. What are your thoughts here? All input will be appreciated.

Mark

[Dannywayoflife]

As far as I'm aware the 90 degree rule is normally associated with the small ball thr's. The hr is anatomical size so the risk of dislocation is the same as an average hip.
The bhr was designed so that patients could lead an unrestricted lifestyle.
Danny

[hernanu]

I don't think anyone here with an HR has gotten a restriction of the 90 degree rule for life, but I could be wrong  :o.

I believe for an HR the 90 degree rule is used by the doctors that use it (mine didn't) for early recuperation, when the muscles are healing and the device itself is melding with the bone, so bone growth into the device happens without extra stress put on it. It is to ensure a safe recovery.

I'm not sure what the longest time is people have gotten for this, but I believe no one has gotten it for life, just for a few months at most.

Please correct me if wrong.

[Tin Soldier]

The 90 degree restriction is only until the hip capsule heals enough to keep your femur from dislocating out the back.  I still think it would take a lot to do that, but I wouldn't test it in the 6 week post-op period.   Crossing the legs has to do with the same type of movement of the femur.  When you adduct? (leg inward, your femur top rotates posterierly.  I believe that is the standard method of dislocation during surgery.

I've not heard of any of those restrictions lasting beyond 6 weeks or so.  Granted, I still keep a pillow between my knees when I'm on my side in bed, but that's for comfort, only.   

[curt]

    As each has said, each doctor is different, but Dr. Gross explains it simply: 90 degrees flexion up or knee in-foot out replicates the dislocation that was performed during surgery.  The muscles et al are looser and weak for the first 6 weeks or so.  Crossing your legs and doing deep squats puts excess pressure on the capsule while it too is healing.  Despite the larger size of the implant, I think he worries that the joint could dislocate if you move them that way, but its temporary, not for life. 
    I've heard lots of others here state that they had NO restrictions after surgery and they did fine, but I don't mind the conservative approach until I know I'm strong enough to handle it (I'm using my 6 month point as my guide for getting crazy!).
Curt

[Dan L]

I did not have a 90 degree restriction, the protocol Dr Brooks uses does not require it.  I'm not sure if the incision entry approach is why he does not require it, guessing others here would know.

Tin soldiers explanation makes a lot of sense, never realized that correlation before, but can visualize that for sure.