Putting on socks is an important activity of daily living that requires a good range of motion in the hips. After hip replacement surgery, many patients wonder when they will be able to put on their own socks again without assistance.
When can I put socks on after hip replacement?
The ability to put on socks after hip replacement depends on several factors:
- Type of hip replacement surgery
- Surgical approach
- Early recovery and physical therapy
- Hip precautions
In general, most patients are able to put on their own socks within 6-12 weeks after surgery as hip mobility improves. However, it may take 3-4 months to fully regain the flexibility needed for easy sock donning.
Anterior vs Posterior Hip Replacement
The surgical approach impacts early recovery of hip flexion. In anterior hip replacement, the surgeon accesses the hip joint from the front of the hip. This method allows quicker bending compared to the traditional posterior approach. Patients with anterior hip replacement can usually put on socks within 6-8 weeks.
With posterior hip replacement, the surgeon accesses the hip from the back/side. Hip flexion is initially more limited but improves gradually with physical therapy. Patients usually need 8-12 weeks before being able to reach their feet for socks after posterior hip replacement.
Minimally Invasive vs Standard Incisions
Minimally invasive hip replacement uses smaller incisions (3-5 inches) compared to standard open surgery (6-8 inches). The smaller cuts involve less muscle trauma which leads to less pain and stiffness during initial recovery.
Patients who undergo minimally invasive hip replacement are often able to put on socks comfortably after about 6 weeks. With standard open surgery, it generally takes closer to 8-12 weeks to have enough flexibility for sock use.
Early Recovery After Hip Replacement
The first 6 weeks after hip replacement involve major limitations in hip mobility to allow proper healing of the joint and tissues. Your surgeon will provide hip precautions to protect the new socket and attachments while they integrate with the bone.
Typical hip precautions after replacement include:
- No crossing legs
- No bending past 90 degrees
- No twisting inward of the hip
- No low chairs or low sitting
During the initial recovery, extra devices like long shoe horns, grab bars, and extended length reachers can help patients avoid excessive hip bending and comfortably put on their shoes and socks.
Physical Therapy
Starting physical therapy soon after surgery is key for regaining range of motion in the hip. Under the supervision of a physical therapist, patients begin gentle exercises approximately 1-2 weeks after surgery to improve hip strength and mobility.
Common exercises focus on:
- Knee bending
- Hip flexion
- Hip abduction
- Strengthening hip muscles
Regular participation in physical therapy allows safe, progressive stretching of the hip joint capsule and muscles. PT exercises make it easier to reach the feet for sock use within 6-12 weeks.
When Will I No Longer Need Help to Put on Socks?
Here is a general timeline for when patients can expect to put on socks independently after hip replacement:
| Weeks After Surgery | Ability to Don Socks |
|---|---|
| 1-2 weeks | Requires assistance |
| 3-4 weeks | Requires sock aid |
| 5-6 weeks | Can reach feet with difficulty |
| 6-8 weeks | Able to put on socks with moderate ease |
| 3-4 months | Full sock wearing ability regained |
At around 6 weeks, many patients have regained enough flexibility to put on socks, but still feel some discomfort or tightness in doing so. The hip continues to loosen up and by 3-4 months, most patients can put on their socks smoothly without assistance.
Some tips to make sock use easier after hip replacement include:
- Use a sock aid
- Wear slip-on shoes or shoes with Velcro closures
- Try compression socks which are tighter fitting
- Sit in a high chair or elevated surface when dressing
- Use long handled reachers
When to Call Your Surgeon
It’s normal for hip flexibility to gradually return over the first 3-4 months after surgery. But call your surgeon right away if you have:
- Sudden increase in hip pain
- Inability to bear weight on the operative leg
- Signs of infection like fever, drainage, or redness
- Popping, clicking, or instability in the hip joint
- No improvement in range of motion after 12 weeks
These symptoms may indicate complications like infection, fracture, loosening, or hip dislocation. Prompt medical evaluation is needed to identify the cause and initiate proper treatment.
Conclusion
Putting on socks is an important milestone after hip replacement surgery. With anterior approaches, minimally invasive techniques, structured physical therapy, and some useful devices, most patients can resume sock use on their own within 6-12 weeks.
Some tightness and discomfort when reaching down is common up to 3-4 months after surgery. Following hip precautions and staying active in physical therapy will ensure optimal recovery of flexibility needed for daily activities like putting on your shoes and socks.