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My Dad who is 85 will be having his hip replaced on August 17th and then plans to drive from Iowa to Texas to visit friends and family in September. I worry about blood clots with him sitting so long for the drive. If my Mom drives for him he may be more comfortable, but I just don't think it is a good idea for them to be doing this trip. Someone said he will have to take breaks and get out and stretch, yes, that makes sense but what is the magic number? How many times in an hour or two hours should they be stopping so he doesn't get a blood clot? Have any of you taken a long trip so soon after surgery? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Replies to "My Dad who is 85 will be having his hip replaced on August 17th and then..."
I'm betting your Dad is pretty determined, so you might just want to let his surgeon know the plan, and let him deal with it. Like the others, I would worry about clots - will he keep his leg elevated if your Mom drives? Definitely stop/walk every 1 1/2 - 2 hours. We drive thoudans of miles every year, and seldom go more than 2 hours between stops because all that sitting is hard on any body.
Last year my friend rode from Nebraska to South Texas 6 weeks after knee replacement. They stopped every 2 hours, and made a 3 day trip (she usually does the 100 miles in 2 days.) She did OK, until she tried to push too hard getting unpacked and settled.
Sue
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Hello,
How many weeks out will your Dad be when he's going to be traveling? To be honest if it's under 6 weeks I would be very surprised if his doctor releases him to travel that long. I can see your worries about a blood clot. If he insists on traveling, I would definitely have them stop every hour. But he may not really feel like traveling after the surgery, at least for a couple months after the surgery. I was 51 when I had both my hips replaced in December and I didn't travel like that until the summer.