Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences that you can have in your life. It can help you gain new perspectives on life, challenge you to be more adventurous, and even inspire you to try new things like scuba diving or whitewater rafting.
However, travel poses unique challenges for those recently undergoing hip replacement surgery. Traveling requires moving from one location to another, which can be challenging after hip replacement. Hip replacement surgeries are common in the US. According to recent data, almost 350,000 hip replacements occur annually in the US.
Knowing that your body is still healing from this procedure is vital if you have undergone hip replacement surgery. Hence, it’s important not to overstress it during this time. Here are some tips on how you can keep your trip safe and fun:
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It All Starts With Choosing the Right Hip Implant
The right implant fits your lifestyle and makes you feel comfortable. You should choose an implant designed for how you want to live, whether with a high activity level or one designed for everyday use.
The best way to find out which type of hip replacement will work best for you is by talking with your doctor about your current lifestyle and goals for the future. Your doctor may recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, which uses magnetic waves instead of X-rays to create images of bones and soft tissues inside the body.
Considering the quality of hip implants also matters a lot. If you go for an implant with poor quality, there are chances that it may get broken or dislocated soon and cause problems. The defective pieces can also impact other parts of your body.
For example, Exactech hip replacements have been recalled for this exact reason. According to TorHoerman Law, the defective packaging of Exactech hip implants can lead to polyethylene CR tibial components within the body. This can result in various injuries, such as osteolysis, inability to bear weight, bone loss, and new or worsening pain.
If you have faced such injuries after using Exactech hip implants for replacements, you can file a lawsuit against the company. You can hire an attorney and file an Exactech hip replacement lawsuit. The lawyer will help you collect the evidence required to win the case against the company and get you the proper settlement amount.
6 Tips for Traveling After Hip Replacements
While choosing the right implant is crucial, other tips can help smoothen your journey after hip replacements.
Consult Your Healthcare Professional
A crucial step in preparing for travel after hip replacement surgery is consulting your healthcare professional. With new technology coming in handy, you mostly heal in six weeks. Your doctor can advise you on how to prepare for travel, manage pain during travel, and what to do if you need medical attention.
The best way to avoid complications while away from home is by following all instructions given by your surgeon before leaving the hospital or clinic after surgery. When traveling by car or plane, you must plan to not overexert yourself while sitting or standing in one place for long periods. Have someone else drive to help open doors and move luggage into overhead airplane bins if possible.
Choosing Suitable Destinations
Choosing a destination is one of the most important steps in planning your trip. Choosing a place with good weather, medical care, and public transportation services is essential if you are recovering from hip replacement surgery. You should also consider whether there are places to eat and things to do in the area where you want to go.
- Choose destinations with good weather: If you’re traveling after hip replacement surgery, it’s best to avoid visiting areas where temperatures will drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). Try for somewhere between 60-75 F/16-24 C at night and 70-80 F/21-27 C during the day, especially if your recovery takes longer than expected and requires additional time away from home before returning home again later this year!
- Choose destinations with good medical care: Make sure that whichever destination has adequate healthcare facilities nearby to provide additional support through their services and help prevent any potential problems arising due to lack thereof.
Packing Smart and Light
Packing plays a vital role in your post-hip replacement surgery experience. If you don’t pack right, you will have to carry a lot of weight while traveling around. Hence, you must pack smart and light.
- Pack light. Packaging as lightly as possible is always a good idea, but after hip replacement surgery, your body will appreciate the easier load and reduced weight on your joints.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You should wear a pair of lightweight and supportive shoes with a firm sole for walking long distances and standing for long periods at concerts or events. Also, remember socks!
- Consider the weather forecast before making plans. If it’s going to be hot or cold outside during your trip, make sure you bring along some layers so that if things change unexpectedly in terms of temperature, everything stays comfortable under all circumstances. This is because cold weather can be harsh on joints and increase hip pain if you don’t dress up to keep your body warm.
- Pack a carry-on bag full of essentials like medications, including painkillers like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Celecoxib, as prescribed. You should also add first aid kit items, a mobile phone charger, earphones, a camera, etc.
Selecting the Right Travel Mode
For most people, the best way to travel is by car. If your doctor has recommended using a wheelchair or scooter for long distances, consider renting one from an airport location. This option can be very cost-effective if multiple people in your party need them and if there is enough time before departure for the equipment provider to deliver them to the airport.
If public transportation is required due to a lack of mobility or stability issues, consider taking taxis or Uber/Lyft services instead of buses because they’re usually faster and more convenient. However, if taking public transportation seems like the only option, go ahead confidently, knowing there are always reserved seats for people with physical disabilities.
Handling Unexpected Situations
When traveling after hip replacement surgery, preparing for the unexpected is essential. You should know your limits and have a plan in place for any potential problems that arise.
It is also essential to have a backup plan if something goes wrong and you need help quickly. If you are going alone, make sure someone knows where you are going and when they can expect you back home again–and keep them updated along the way!
Exploring Your Destination
After hip replacement surgery, getting out of your comfort zone may be difficult, but it’s essential if you want an authentic experience. Try visiting a local market or sampling some dishes at restaurants that aren’t on TripAdvisor’s list of “must-eats.”
If you plan, there are ways for travelers with limited mobility to enjoy these experiences while avoiding common pitfalls like soreness or pain caused by long walks through crowds or stairs. For example, if you’re visiting Rome during summertime, consider staying near Termini Station instead of the centrally located Via Veneto.
This will allow easier access into town via metro lines A or B and avoid long hikes up hills throughout the city center, which can cause discomfort after surgery. If possible, avoid walking upstairs since this puts stress on both hips simultaneously instead of just one side, as normal walking does.
Conclusion
If you plan it right, traveling after hip replacement surgery should not be challenging. However, you can also wait for some time before starting to travel if you want to avoid unexpected situations. 90% of patients who had moderate pain before the first hip replacement surgery reported less or minimal pain after five years. So you can put your plans on hold for the next five years and then start traveling.
We hope this article has helped you plan your next hip replacement travel adventure. Remember that it’s important to be prepared for any situation and have the right equipment, so don’t forget those extra supplies!