How long after hip replacement can I tie my shoes?

Having a hip replacement is a major event for many people and for this reason, simple daily activities such as tying your shoes may seem daunting. Fortunately, tying your shoes after a hip replacement is possible and can be done with a few precautions. However, depending on your level of healing, how long you must wait before being able to tie your shoes after hip replacement can vary.

Healing Before You Tie Your Shoes

The overall recovery after a hip replacement can take up to 6 months. In those 6 months, you should expect several stages of healing including swelling, stiffness and regaining flexibility. Swelling of the hip joint is a normal part of recovery and will diminish as time passes. You should be able to touch your toes and barely bend over after 4-6 weeks of healing. Your doctor may begin physical therapy as early as 2-4 weeks after surgery.

In the first few months of recovery and physical therapy, you should pay attention to your doctor’s advice and take care not to rush your rehab. After your hip has healed and your physical therapist has given you the ok, you can begin to slowly and carefully tie your shoes.

Tying Your Shoes After Hip Replacement

When it comes time to tie your shoes after hip replacement, there are a few tips and tricks to make the process more comfortable and manageable. The first bit of advice is to change up your shoelaces. Round laces are much more forgiving than flat laces, so tie your shoes with round laces and you will find it much easier. Additionally, it might be helpful to purchase a shoe horn to help make it easier to put your shoes on.

Along with using a shoe horn, using a stool to prop your leg up can also be beneficial in this process. Elevating your leg will make it easier to bend over, as the healing of your new hip takes some time to occur. In addition, a raised leg will reduce the amount of stress on your hip joint.

While it will take some time to heal and regain flexibility, tying your shoes after hip replacement is definitely possible. With a few modifications and a bit of patience, you will be able to tie your shoes again in no time.