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Read our guide for top tips on flying after hip replacement surgery and discover how AllClear can give you confidence on your next trip with hip replacement Travel Insurance
The good news is, as early as a week after your hip replacement surgery, you could take a short flight.
However, a long haul flight isn’t recommended by the NHS during the first 3 months after the procedure. That’s because long haul flights can:
Flying after a hip replacement can mean that you are at greater risk of having deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
What’s a DVT? Its a type of blood clot which develops within a deep vein in the body, usually in the lower legs.
Aside from these medical concerns, there’s also the logistical issue of getting around the airport before your flight and roaming freely at your destination.
So, consider the following tips – recommended by medical professionals – to minimise your risk of flying after a hip replacement…
Flying after a hip replacement can have it’s complications, so it’s best to book an appointment to see your doctor before you go.
If your doctor believes you’re particularly at risk of developing a clot after your surgery, it may be that you’re prescribed blood-thinning medication for during your flight.
Also, if your new hip is causing you some discomfort, make sure you have enough pain relief medication for the duration of your trip.
This would also be a good opportunity to ask your doctor any questions you have about your trip. Such as:
Flying after a hip replacement can come with difficulties. The best tip for managing your hip replacement at the airport is simple, don’t be shy to ask for help if you need it! Major airports can be rather large and simply walking to your gate can become a strenuous task after a hip replacement – especially if you’re carrying luggage.
Call your airline or tour operator in advance and you might be surprised with how much mobility assistance they can provide. They could have a wheelchair ready on arrival and a possibly fast track of queues.
Here are a few tips for managing your hip replacement during your holiday…
So if you’re getting ready to book that holiday, remember specialist hip replacement travel insurance to help you travel with peace of mind. After all, the average cost for a medical claim is over £1,300 – but imagine how much the claim cost would be if you needed an emergency air ambulance home from your holiday. For one unfortunate Brit recently, it was a medical bill of £760,000 while visiting America!
An important detail to note about travel insurance for your hip replacement is that you will need to declare the medical condition which caused the need for the operation.
From AllClear, you can select the following as the original medical condition:
We ask this question because it can affect your eligibility to get travel insurance. Some insurers won’t offer cover at all, but fortunately, Waiting List Cover is available from specialist providers. This benefit lets you claim for cancellation of your trip if the surgery date coincides with your holiday.
If you’ve had hip surgery recently or a long time ago, you shouldn’t let it stop you from having a holiday! As long as you’re fit-to-fly. For confidence on you’re next trip – you will need Travel Insurance for hip replacement. Discover how AllClear can help you…
Author notes
Written by Lydia Crispin, MA Content Creator at AllClear Edited by Letitia Smith, M.Sc. Content Manager at AllClear
Article sources:
The information in this blog post is not intended to replace professional medical advice. It is a general overview of a broad medical care topic. Blog posts are not tailored to one person’s specific medical requirements, diagnosis or treatment. If you do notice symptoms or you require medical advice, you should always consult your doctor or healthcare provider to obtain professional medical help. Read through our disclaimer for more information.
Written by: Lydia Crispin | Travel Insurance ExpertLast Updated: 23 August 2023
[1] Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in the Travel Insurance Company category that have over 30,000 reviews as of January 2023.