From the Guidelines
You can typically resume sexual activity about 6 to 8 weeks after hip surgery, but the provided evidence does not directly address hip surgery, so this answer is based on general principles of post-surgical recovery and the need to avoid excessive strain on the affected joint. When considering resuming sexual activity after hip surgery, it's essential to prioritize avoiding positions that may cause discomfort or put excessive strain on the hip joint.
- Avoid positions that require extreme hip flexion beyond 90 degrees, external rotation, or adduction (crossing your leg toward the midline)
- Consider positions where you can keep your hip more stable, such as lying on your back with your partner at your side or lying on your non-operative side
- Use pillows for support and comfort
- Take pain medication as prescribed 30 minutes before intimacy if needed
- Stop any activity that causes pain, and communicate openly with your partner about comfort levels Although the study 1 discusses sexual counseling for individuals with cardiovascular disease, it suggests that sexual activity may be resumed in 6 to 8 weeks after a standard surgery if the surgical site is well healed, which can be applied to hip surgery in terms of waiting for the surgical site to heal before resuming sexual activity. It is crucial to get clearance from your surgeon at your follow-up appointment before resuming sexual activity to ensure that your hip is healing properly and that you are not at risk of complications. During the initial recovery period, prioritize protecting the surgical site and preventing dislocation of the new hip joint or damage to healing tissues. As recovery progresses, your surgeon will advise when you can safely return to more varied positions.
From the Research
Recovery After Hip Surgery
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of when it is safe to have sex after hip surgery 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, studies suggest that recovery after hip surgery can vary depending on individual factors and the type of surgery performed 2, 6.
- Some studies focus on the effectiveness of different exercise programs and pain management strategies after hip surgery, but do not provide guidance on resuming sexual activity 2, 3, 5, 6.
- One study discusses abstinence-only-until-marriage policies, but this is not relevant to the question of when it is safe to have sex after hip surgery 4.
Exercise and Recovery
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that postoperative exercise interventions were not associated with improved self-reported physical function compared to usual care or no intervention 6.
- Another study found that unsupervised home exercise was safe and efficacious for a majority of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, and formal physical therapy may not be required 2.
Pain Management
- A study on paracetamol and ibuprofen for postoperative pain treatment found that only one third of participants experienced mild pain after total hip arthroplasty, and even fewer experienced mild pain using each drug alone 3.
- Another study found that intravenous acetaminophen may improve postoperative outcomes in older hip fracture patients, but the evidence is limited and of low quality 5.