A hip replacement, as much as comes with a feeling of comfort and positivity, also comes with lots of questions and confusions. Patients are always curious to know when they can get back to their normal routine and lifestyle after a hip replacement surgery. The answer not only varies with the type of surgery you have undergone – partial, total, or invasive – but also depends upon your individual condition, body type, and lifestyle. Also, the healing process needs to be taken into consideration. Any kind of issues faced during the phase after surgery is also a deciding factor. Thus, there are lots of things that need to be considered before coming to a decision.
One most important thing that patients are worried about after a hip replacement is when they can travel distances. It could be a once-in-a-while travel in a plane or train, but one important concern is local driving on a regular basis. Nobody today can afford sitting at home all day, without traveling places. It could be for work, or for entertainment, moving around the city has become a must for all today.
There are certain patients who choose not to drive post a surgery, but then, there are others who operate two wheelers, cars, and other vehicles, maybe even trucks and vans. If you belong to the second lot, you will need to be careful as we let you know that driving will be temporarily limited after you undergo the surgery. This is because after the surgery, you will be weak and will be unable to react as quickly as you could earlier. With lower reaction time, you could be at a great risk on the road, taking into account the way people drive and move around on the Indian roads; thus increasing your risks of accidents. Thus, you shouldn’t put yourself or any other passengers at risk by driving just after your surgery.
Also, as you apply the brakes in your car, you may experience pain because your muscles and ligaments are still fragile. This is why you are given a physical therapy procedure and exercises to follow after the surgery, so that your hip area muscles can be strengthened. Once they are strong enough, you can again take up driving with ease.
Further, patients are often under the influence of heavy narcotics that are used to reduce post-surgery aches, pains, and swelling. These medications help to keep you relaxed and comfortable, but they can also prove to be dangerous if you drive a vehicle while you are on these medicines. This is because certain medications cause drowsiness, while others cause hallucinations and erratic thinking. So, until you have completely stopped taking these medications, avoid driving.
All the above points make it very important that you listen to Maitri Hospital’s orthopaedic surgeon in Kota and follow his instructions if you don’t want issues later. And worry not! Your surgery won’t keep you at home forever. You just have to stay off your mobility for a short while, but as the time passes by, you will be active and back to your normal everyday activities, and that too, in a much better state than you were with your hip pain.
