Total Hip Replacement Precautions

Avoid dislocation of your new hip by following total hip replacement precautions taught to you after your surgery.

Some movements or positions may put too much strain on your new hip and cause the ball to slip from its socket. With traditional hip replacement, you will be required to follow restrictions that limit your hip range of motion.

Your physical and occupational therapists will teach you which movements to avoid. Your occupational therapist will teach you how to use special equipment that allows you to complete everyday tasks (bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.) while eliminating the amount of bending or twisting you have to do.

As your hip heals, it is essential that you follow your total hip replacement precautions as explained to you by your therapist and surgeon. The length of time that you need to follow your precautions depends on your surgeon. Some surgeons recommend 6 months, a year, or forever. Discuss this with your surgeon. In rare cases where dislocation is a problem, a patient is fitted with a plastic hip brace to prevent further dislocation until the hip fully heals.

Total Hip Replacement Precautions

DO NOT do the following:

• Cross your legs
• Turn your toes in (pigeon-toed)
• Sit in low chairs or sofas, including a low toilet seat
• Lean towards non-operated side
• Sit in a tub
• Bend your hip at an angle greater than 90 degrees

• Keep your legs apart
• Keep your toes pointing forward
• Use hip cushion, or two pillows when sitting
• Sit with your weight evenly distributed
• Use a shower seat or tub bench for bathing

Immediately after your total hip replacement surgery, a wedge shaped pillow(hip abductor), or two regular pillows, will be placed between your legs to keep your hip in place. This will reduce your chances of dislocating your new hip. For the first few days after your surgery, your doctor may want you to keep the pillow in place whenever you're in bed, regardless of whether you're sleeping on your back or side.

If you want to lie on your side, keep pillows between your legs. This is to prevent your hip from rotating inward or crossing the midline of your body. You may be more comfortable lying on your non-operated side. Always remember to maintain your total hip replacement precautions when sleeping or getting in and out of bed.

Chairs and beds after hip replacement

Remember your total hip replacement precautions when sitting in a chair or on your bed. Avoid low chairs, otherwise you'll have difficulty maintaining the prescribed "less than 90 degree angle" of your new hip. Use one or two pillows on your chair or car seat. Don't bend forward in your chair.

If possible, avoid a low bed. Sleep on a firm mattress that's about 27" off the floor.

Weight bearing precautions

Your weight bearing status. After all hip replacement surgeries, the surgeon will indicate in his written orders the amount of weight you are allowed to safely put on your surgery leg. The therapists and nursing staff must know your weight bearing status prior to getting you up on your feet. Common weight bearing status includes the following terms:

• Non weight bearing: No weight should be placed on your operated leg.
• Toe-touch weight bearing: Approximately 10% of your body weight may be placed on your operated leg.
• Partial weight bearing: You will be allowed to put part of your weight on your operated leg, usually up to 50%.
• Weight bearing as tolerated: You may put as much weight as you can tolerate on your operated leg.

Your weight bearing status is determined by your surgeon and depends on the type of sugery performed, the type of hip hardware implanted, the amount of damage to your old hip prior to surgery. Your weight bearing status should be strictly followed.

The above information is strictly for informational purposes only. Your own surgeon and therapists will instruct you in total hip replacement precautions and procedures.

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