Your new artificial hip has a limited range of safe motion while it is healing. For about three months, you will need to follow special safety rules called “hip precautions” to protect your new hip while it heals. While you are in the hospital, your healthcare team will remind you often about the need to follow the hip precautions. Once you get home, you will have to remember to follow these rules until your surgeon approves motion beyond that described in these hip precautions.
Don’t bend the hip past 90 degrees. This means don’t raise your leg in bed.
Whether sitting or lying down, keep the angle made by the leg and upper body below 90 degrees!
Don’t bend too far when standing
Don’t allow the knee of your operated leg to cross the midline of your body. This means don’t let your knee move across your body past your navel (belly button). This precaution is especially important when lying on your side or trying to turn in bed. When lying on the unaffected side, place pillows between your legs to keep your hip in the correct position. When sitting, do not cross your affected leg.
Don’t turn the foot of your operated leg inward. This means when lying on your back, don’t roll your affected leg toward the other leg as you might do when rolling over. Also, don’t stand pigeon-toed. Keep the toes of your affected leg pointed forward when you stand, sit or walk.
What if Your Hip Dislocates?
Dislocation of an artificial hip is uncommon, and occurs within the first three months after surgery. The problem usually starts with a popping sensation or a slipping sensation. You will be unable to bear weight on the affected limb and may experience a fair amount of discomfort. You will need to contact your orthopaedic surgeon immediately and probably have someone take you to the emergency room. Putting the hip back in the socket will probably require medication given by I.V. to relax the muscles and allow your surgeon to put the hip back into place.