Changing a tire at two weeks post op is not a good idea. We often forget
that we are healing after major surgery and do things without thinking.
Please think before doing any strenuous activities shortly after
surgery. I think the people who do “really dumb things” realize it very
quickly! Anyone that had major surgery and wants to do heavy work any
time within the first six weeks is going to pay a big price including a
possible revision due to a femur neck fracture or component movement. No
matter how much you warn people, they just can’t understand the impact
such major surgery has on their bodies. You can’t force your body to
heal or be strong after it has been sliced and diced. I would caution
people to be careful even beyond the six weeks up to six month period.
Most surgeons will let patients do normal activities at six months, but
warn that it takes a full year for the body to heal completely after a
hip replacement. Why go through a recovery from major surgery and then
take a chance on having a revision. Makes no sense, but neither do the
actions of many people.

Please think before acting. Get help when you
are faced with any problem that means you need to exert your new hip to
lift a lot of weight. One man recently posted that he fixed a flat tire
when he had surgery two weeks before. Fixing a flat tire to be on time
to an appointment is not as important as going through another surgery
for a revision because you fractured your femur neck. Please think
before performing strenuous activities. There is nothing more important
than your own health if you want to continue to be active and be there
for your family.

Often parents are tempted to lift their children after hip surgery.
Lifting could mean that you are going to crack a femur, dislocate your
hip or move an acetabular cup component. Any injury to the femur bone,
surrounding tissue or muscles could result in a revision. Each revision
surgery after your first hip replacement becomes more difficult than the
original surgery.

THR Revision Information

We need to remember that the time to recovery and let our bodies heal
is actually very small when compared to a lifetime. Healing and becoming
strong again will allow you to be active with your children once again.
They will understand that you are healing and will look forward to the
time when you are able to be a full-time parent without pain.