Hip Replacment

[david56]

Does anyone know how long is it safe to fly after having a hip replacement operation.
My operation has been changed to the 3rd of December from the 13th November and I'm supposed to be flying to lanzarote on the 22nd of December. Will I be allowed to or do I cancel ?.

[Sqad]

Depends........check on your airline initially.

You intend to fly about 3 weeks after total hip replacement?

Providing that your operation was completed without complications and your surgeon agrees, i see no reason why it should not be safe for your to fly, depending of course on the conditions set by your airline.

Each case should be assessed on an individual basis.

[fishing81]

Just make sure you inform your insurance company about your op, I very much doubt they will cover the cost of any problems you might have.Better to lose the cost of your holiday than have a big hospital bill.

[MargoTester]

Had mine done 13th September and still not completely back to normal i.e.still need a stick to help me walk. There are certain things such as sitting on a high chair, not bending etc etc that you will be told about when you have the op which may restrict you a bit. I must admit I don't think I would have felt like flying after just 3 weeks. Six weeks is said to be the normal initial recovery time but obviously everybody is different. But oh boy it is so wonderful to be without the pain!!

[MargoTester]

By the way I was told the 'restrictions' we're in place to make sure that the new hip did not pop out. As Sqad says talk to your surgeon about it but I would have thought to

[mallyh]

Margo agree with you ,had both mine done in my 50's one in march and one in .june i would have found it difficult to sit on a plane as the seats are low x

[MallyJ]

You will have follow up hospital appointments and physiotherapy to help get you back to normal. These should not be missed... added to that I had a month of daily injections to be administered and tho I traveled by car to take a break by the sea side I had to take the raised lavatory seat with me.... As has been said by Margo you will be told to ensure that your bed is at the right height and your chair as well as the lavatory...I believe that is to ensure that the joint doesn't slip out and need further surgery. I suggest you take advice from your surgeon/ doctor... I had a full replacement and recovered really quickly but still don't think I would have wanted to embark on a journey involving airports planes (with seats at the right height) etc However you may be bouncing straight a way..... do take advice.

[fishing81]

Well david56 I think you have had some good imput to your question. Are you fit enough to enjoy your holiday now as you are.I don't know who organises the ops now but ten years ago when I had my knee replacements it was the Primary Care Trust and they were really helpful in changing op appointments.Before you cancel maybe have a word with them and see how you stand as it has been put back once there is no guarantee it won't happen again and you would kick yourself if you had time for your trip,

[Peter Pedant]

erm David

this is a common enough question - when can I go to sharm el sheikh etc ? that the consultant who is doing the operation will have a recommendation for

Ring the secretary and ask

I asked and cant remember the answer but it boiled down to haing the operation AFTER the hol

The thing is that the aircraft seats make you adduct the legs and the orthopods want you to SPREAD those legs......

ring and ask

three weeks is on the short side to be honest
and you dont cancel - you post pone or opt for the changed date as not agreed

[fishing81]

Have you come to any decision yet david56 ?

[jourdain2]

Bit of a late reply, sorry. Hip replacement operations are notorious for promoting blood clots. After mine I had blood-thinning injections into my stomach every day for a month. After 6 weeks I could drive etc.. I think 3 weeks is very risky.

[maggiebee]

Certainly would not have flown three weeks after my replacement hip op. Think you need to check this one out before take off.

[Sqad]

jourdain, you are quite correct. However, it is thought that if you haven't developed your DVT 3 weeks after a hip replacement,then you are unlikely to develop a DVT.