Flying After Hip Replacement Surgery: When Is It Safe To Fly?

It can be hard to enjoy traveling with disabilities due to pain or limited mobility, and those with painful or stiff hips may dread planning trips and booking transportation as a result.

Replacing the worn joint of your hip with an artificial one is a common procedure that can improve mobility and reduce pain, but flying after hip replacement surgery may feel daunting and risky.

You should ultimately follow your surgeon’s recommendation, but you can safely and confidently travel by taking proper precautions and monitoring your condition while you’re recovering.

How long after hip replacement can you fly?

In most cases, you should wait at least four to six weeks after surgery before traveling. However, the specifics of your surgery, your current condition, and how comfortable you are sitting down may affect this timeline. 

Before you plan a trip or book a flight, consult your surgeon to ensure you’re fully healed to reduce the risk of discomfort and complications.

Risks of flying after hip replacement

You may not want to travel for a while after your hip replacement surgery, but if you have already made travel plans or just want to get away, it’s important to recognize the risks. 

Whether you wait three weeks or 12, traveling after having your hip replaced may risk:

• Pain or discomfort: Narrow airplane seats can be especially uncomfortable for people recovering from surgery.

• Swelling in the legs: Cabin pressure and altitude can affect fluid circulation and may worsen leg swelling on a flight.

• Infection: When incisions are still healing, there is a risk of infection, and the confined space aboard an airplane may allow for the spread of bacteria that can increase that risk.
• Hip displacement: If you travel before your tissue has healed, your joints may shift uncomfortably, but the risk of dislocation tends to be low.

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Sitting for extended periods of time can affect blood flow, increasing the risk of blood clots in the legs.

If you’re worried about complications from your surgery, talk to your surgeon and listen to their advice.

How to fly safely after hip surgery

The primary concerns you may have for flying after hip replacement surgery are your recovery and comfort. Before you plan a trip, talk to your doctor and make a plan for what you’ll pack, how you can be more comfortable on the plane, and what to do once you land.

Planning for your trip

Taking a flight while recovering from hip surgery may seem daunting, but the more proactive you are, the more comfortable you’ll be while traveling. Follow these tips in advance so you can travel with confidence:

• Consult with your surgeon: Based on the nature of your surgery and how you’ve healed in the following weeks, your surgeon can recommend when it’s safe to fly and how to make your trip more comfortable.
• Opt for a direct flight: A nonstop flight can limit the amount of time you spend sitting down, which may help reduce the risk of swelling and blood clots.

• Choose an aisle seat: An aisle seat can alleviate some discomfort with extra room to stretch and easy access to the bathroom.

• Inform the airline: Before your flight, you may want to communicate with airline staff about your surgery and request any necessary accommodations.

• Pack all essentials: Your doctor may prescribe blood thinners to prevent blood clots, as well as pain medication. Be sure to follow airline restrictions and guidelines when traveling with prescription medications or mobility aids.

• Wear comfortable clothing: After hip replacement surgery, plan to wear loose clothes, especially on a flight. These will be more comfortable and allow you to reveal your surgical scars if airport security stops you.
• Prioritize your carry-on: Keep things you may need on the flight in a smaller bag that you can keep on your lap or at your feet. The carry-on that you store in the overhead compartment may be inconvenient to access in-flight.
• Hire a medical escort: A medical escort provides assistance for medication administration, mobility, and other medical needs. When choosing a medical escort service, look for qualified options that can best support you after your hip replacement.
• Get travel assistance: Travel medical assistance gives you peace of mind by helping you access medical evacuation, specialists, and transportation home. Note

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At the airport

Navigating airports can be challenging even if you’re not recovering from surgery. Whether you’re flying out of a major airport or a small, local one, follow these tips to make the experience go more smoothly:

• Give yourself extra time: After hip replacement surgery, you may have limited mobility, so ensure you have plenty of time to arrive at the airport, go through security, and find your gate.
• Inform airport security: Before you go through security, let the TSA agents know about your hip replacement so you can move through screening as smoothly as possible.

• Request accommodations: Don’t hesitate to ask the airport for a wheelchair or other mobility aid if it will help you move around the airport more easily.

During your flight

Unless you’re upgrading your seat, flying on an airplane isn’t always the most comfortable. While you’re in flight, it’s important to do what you can to improve your comfort, promote healing, and keep you safe.

• Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated supports your body’s functions and recovery, so try to drink enough water before and during your flight.
• Wear compression stockings: Using compression socks on the plane can help improve circulation and may reduce the risk of blood clots, but check with your doctor first for their recommendation.
• Use pillows: Neck and lumbar pillows provide added comfort and support on long trips.

• Move around: When able, walking along the aisle in the plane every hour or so can promote circulation and prevent discomfort. If you can’t move around due to turbulence or in-flight restrictions, try stationary leg exercises.

• Stretch your legs: Promote circulation with gentle stretches throughout your flight, such as calf raises, ankle pumps, and bringing your knees to your chest. Consult your surgeon for specific exercise recommendations while you’re traveling.

Post-flight recovery 

Jet lag and fatigue after flying are common, but if you’re healing from surgery, you may need more than a nap to recover from the flight. Once you arrive at your destination, it’s important to be mindful of your condition so you can fully enjoy your time away. 

• Schedule downtime: No matter how much you want to dive into your itinerary, schedule some time to rest and recover after your flight lands.

• Stretch and exercise: Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can forget your doctor’s orders. Follow prescribed activities, exercises, and restrictions to prevent discomfort and surgical complications.

• Know your limits: Pay attention to how you feel during your trip. Avoid pushing through pain or discomfort; instead, you should rest and stretch as necessary to ensure you continue healing well.

When to use an air ambulance after a hip replacement

An air ambulance or other emergency medical transportation may be necessary if you experience complications from your hip replacement surgery, including:

• Infection
• Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Blood clots

You may also need an air ambulance if you are injured or in too much pain to transport yourself to a hospital. An emergency airlift while traveling for an unexpected injury that requires surgery can cost over $50,000, depending on where you are and the distance you need to travel, but these services can save your life.

If you are hospitalized while traveling and require a hip replacement or other treatment, you may not be able to return on a commercial flight. In cases like this, EA+ can arrange an air ambulance if it’s deemed medically necessary to ensure you get home as safely and comfortably as possible.

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Feel more confident with air travel after hip replacement with EA+

Whether you’re traveling internationally or domestically, planning ahead can help make flying after hip replacement surgery less stressful. Everyone, from families to seniors, can benefit from traveling, and when you take precautions, you’ll be able to focus on enjoying your time away.

With EA+, you can travel more confidently, knowing that we are here to help you get the care you need if you experience critical complications or a medical emergency. Trust EA+ to provide the essential support and care for your well-being and peace of mind.

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FAQ

Not sure when it’s safe to start planning trips after your hip replacement? We answer three common questions below.

When can you travel by car after hip replacement surgery?

You can typically travel short distances by car within a week of your surgery, but your comfort and well-being may affect this timeline. Consult your surgeon to assess your condition and follow their advice before traveling.

How soon can you travel after hip replacement?

If you are not experiencing any complications and you are comfortable sitting for longer periods, you may be able to travel longer distances as soon as four weeks after your surgery. However, your surgeon may recommend that you wait four to six weeks to ensure proper recovery.

When is it safe to fly after hip surgery?

As long as you take proper precautions and follow your surgeon’s instructions, you may be able to safely fly between one and two months after your surgery. 

Before you book a flight, consider how comfortable you are sitting for long periods, and be aware that airplane seats may be less comfortable than your chairs at home. If you have any questions about when you can safely take a flight, ask your surgeon for their opinion.