Most people can start tying their own shoelaces somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks after a total hip replacement. The exact timing depends on your surgeon’s instructions, the surgical approach used, your strength and balance, and whether you were given hip precautions that limit certain movements. The key issue is safe bending at the hip without risking dislocation or injury during early healing.
Typical Timeline: When You Can Usually Tie Your Shoes
0–6 Weeks: Use Aids Instead of Bending
In the first few weeks after surgery, patients are commonly advised to avoid deep bending at the hip. This is because the joint capsule and surrounding tissues are still healing, and excessive hip flexion can increase the risk of dislocation, especially if precautions are in place.
During this period, most people are encouraged to use dressing aids such as a long-handled shoehorn, elastic or no-tie laces, and sock aids. These tools allow you to put on shoes without leaning forward or twisting the hip beyond safe limits.
Around 6 Weeks: Many People Can Start “With Extra Care”
At around six weeks, many patients begin to regain better control, strength, and confidence in their movements. Some NHS rehabilitation guidance notes that for the first six weeks, you need to take extra care when putting on shoes, socks, or tying laces, and that your physiotherapist will guide you on safe techniques.
At this stage, some people may start tying laces carefully if they can keep their hip within a safe range, often using strategies like sitting upright, bringing the foot slightly towards them, or using adaptive methods rather than bending fully forward.
6–8 Weeks: Common “Hip Precautions” Window
For patients who have been given hip precautions, these are often followed for six to eight weeks after surgery. A common precaution is avoiding bending the hip beyond 90 degrees, which is exactly the movement involved when leaning forward to tie one's shoes.
If these precautions are still in place, you are usually advised not to tie traditional laces yet and to continue using aids or slip-on footwear. Your physiotherapist will usually tell you when these restrictions can be eased based on your recovery progress.
Up to 12 Weeks: Some Guidance Uses This as a Full-Recovery Milestone
Around 12 weeks after surgery, many people are more fully recovered, with improved strength, flexibility, and joint stability. Some healthcare providers describe this point as when patients can return to more normal bending and daily activities, including tying shoelaces in a usual way.
Even at this stage, it is important to follow your own surgeon’s or physiotherapist’s advice, as recovery speed can vary depending on age, fitness, surgical technique, and any complications.
Why the Timing Varies Person to Person
Although general timelines are useful, the point at which you can safely tie your shoelaces after a hip replacement differs from one person to another. This variation is mainly due to differences in surgery, movement restrictions, and how quickly each person regains strength and confidence.
Your Surgical Approach and Dislocation Risk
The surgical approach used for your hip replacement affects which movements are considered risky in the early recovery period. Some patients are not given strict movement restrictions unless their consultant feels there is a higher risk of dislocation, while others are advised to follow specific precautions for several weeks.
Factors such as the condition of surrounding tissues, previous hip problems, and overall stability of the new joint can all influence whether bending movements like shoe tying are restricted.
Whether You’ve Been Told to Follow the “90-Degree Rule”
If you have been instructed to follow hip precautions, one of the most common rules is not to bend the hip beyond 90 degrees. Tying shoelaces usually requires exactly this movement, especially if you lean forward while sitting.
As long as this rule is in place, tying traditional laces is generally considered unsafe unless you are shown a modified technique and specifically cleared to do so by your physiotherapist.
Your Mobility, Pain, and Physio Progress
Even without strict precautions, early recovery often involves stiffness, swelling, and weakness in the muscles around the hip. These issues can make it difficult to reach your feet safely and maintain balance while bending.
Pain or fear of movement can also limit how confidently you move. Your physiotherapist will assess your strength, range of motion, and control, and your progress in therapy plays a major role in deciding when everyday tasks like tying laces can be done safely.
What to Do Instead Until You’re Cleared to Tie Laces
Until you are officially cleared by your surgeon or physiotherapist, there are practical alternatives that allow you to stay independent while protecting your new hip.
Use Simple Dressing Aids
Dressing aids are commonly recommended in the early weeks after hip replacement because they reduce the need to bend or twist. A long-handled shoehorn helps guide your foot into the shoe without leaning forward.
A sock aid allows you to put on socks while keeping your hip in a safe position. A reacher or dressing stick can be used to pick up clothing or adjust footwear without excessive bending, helping you maintain precautions while staying mobile.
Make Shoes “No-Tie” Temporarily
Changing your footwear setup can make daily life much easier during recovery. Slip-on trainers remove the need to bend altogether. Elastic laces can be fitted to regular lace-up shoes so they function like slip-ons while still providing support.
Velcro-fastening shoes are another practical option, as they allow you to secure footwear with minimal forward movement. These temporary adjustments reduce strain on your hip and make it safer to get dressed while healing.
How to Tie Your Shoes Safely (When You’ve Been Given the OK)
Once your surgeon or physiotherapist has confirmed it is safe, shoe tying should still be approached carefully at first. The main goals are to keep your hip within a safe bend, maintain good balance, and avoid sudden movements that could strain healing tissues. Even when you are “cleared”, your hip may still feel stiff, and your muscles may fatigue quickly, so it is sensible to move slowly and stop if anything feels wrong.
Sit Higher and Keep Your Hip Angle Safe
Choose a firm, stable chair that sits high enough to keep your hips higher than your knees. Low sofas and low chairs increase hip flexion, which can push your hip angle beyond a safe range and make you lean forward more than you realise.
Sitting higher reduces how far you need to bend and helps you keep your back more upright while reaching your shoe. Keep both feet planted and bring the shoe closer to you rather than folding yourself down towards it.
If you are using a footstool, keep it low and controlled, and avoid lifting the knee too high towards your chest. The safer setup is the one where you can reach your laces with minimal forward bend and without feeling like you are “curling” over the hip.
Avoid Twisting Through the Hip
Twisting is a common way people accidentally break precautions, especially when they reach across their body or turn sideways on a chair. Instead, position yourself so you are facing the shoe you are tying. Keep your shoulders and hips aligned as much as possible and avoid rotating your torso while your hip stays fixed.
Move slowly and deliberately, adjusting your whole body position rather than twisting through the hip joint. If you notice you are turning your knee inward, crossing your leg over the other, or rotating your body to reach the lace, pause and reset your position. A slow, square posture is usually safer than trying to “reach around” from an awkward angle.
When to Ask Your Surgeon or Physio Before Trying
Even if you feel ready, it is worth checking first in certain situations because the safest timing depends on your specific operation, healing progress, and any restrictions you were given at discharge.
If You Were Given Hip Precautions
If you were told to follow hip precautions, shoe tying can be one of the movements that most easily crosses the bending limit or introduces twisting. Some discharge advice emphasises confirming at follow-up when precautions can be reduced, because the timeline varies between patients and between surgical approaches.
If your instructions included avoiding bending past 90 degrees, avoiding certain leg positions, or avoiding twisting, you should treat shoe tying as something to reintroduce only after you are specifically told it is safe. Your physiotherapist can also demonstrate a safer technique that matches your restrictions and your current mobility.
If You Feel a Sharp Pinch, Instability, or Sudden Severe Pain
A sharp pinch, a feeling that the joint is unstable, a sudden “giving way” sensation, or severe pain are signs to stop immediately. Do not push through these symptoms or try to force the movement, because doing so can aggravate soft tissue healing or indicate that your hip is not tolerating that position yet.
If this happens, return to a safer alternative, such as slip-on footwear or dressing aids and contact your clinical team for guidance. Mild stretching discomfort can be normal during rehab, but sharp or alarming sensations are not something to ignore during a movement like bending to tie your shoelaces.
Conclusion
Most people can tie their own shoes somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks after a hip replacement. If you have hip precautions, often followed for around 6–8 weeks and commonly including avoiding bending past 90 degrees, tying laces may need to wait until you are cleared. Until then, dressing aids and slip-on options help you stay independent while protecting your new hip.
FAQs
Q1: How long after hip replacement can I tie my shoes normally?
Ans: Many people manage it between 6 and 12 weeks, but it depends on whether you have hip precautions and how your recovery is progressing.
Q2: Why can’t I bend to tie my shoes after a hip replacement?
Ans: If you’re on hip precautions, bending too far (often beyond 90°) can increase the risk of dislocation while soft tissues heal.
Q3: What can I use instead of tying laces after surgery?
Ans: Use a long-handled shoehorn, sock aid, and a reacher/dressing stick, or switch to slip-on/elastic-lace shoes temporarily.
Q4: I had “no restrictions” after surgery. Can I tie my shoes sooner?
Ans: Some guidance says there may be no specific movement restrictions unless your consultant advises otherwise, but you should still follow your physiotherapist’s instructions and avoid forcing painful movements.
Q5: When should I ask my surgeon or physiotherapist about tying my shoes?
Ans: Ask if you were given hip precautions, if you’re unsure about safe bending, or if you’re approaching the 6–8 week mark and want to know whether restrictions can be relaxed.
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