HEALTH INSIGHTS

Hip Precautions

March 15, 2019

Hip Precautions

Your new hip has a limited safe range of motion. This means it can’t bend and turn as much as a natural hip. So you’ll need to move differently now than you did before surgery. This will help prevent your new hip from popping out of place (dislocating). Your healthcare team will teach you how to stay within your new hip’s safe range of motion.

Sitting safely

Side view of seated person with dotted line showing knee lower than hip.

To protect your new hip, you must sit with your knees lower than or level with your hips. To do this, sit in chairs with high seats. Placing a firm pillow on the seat of a chair can also help.

Following precautions

You must protect your new hip by following precautions such as avoiding certain positions and movements. This will allow your hip to heal and help keep it from dislocating. You may also be told to limit how much weight you put on your operated leg (weight-bearing). You will learn how to follow precautions when lying, sitting, and standing.

Flexion precaution

Side view of man bending over to pick up ball with dotted line showing head lower than hips. Red X indicates not to do this.

Adduction precaution

Front view of woman sitting in chair with legs crossed. Red X indicates not to do this.

Internal rotation precaution

Front view of legs showing one foot and leg rotated towards the middle. Red X indicates not to do this.

Updated:  

March 15, 2019

Reviewed By:  

Joseph, Thomas N., MD,Walton-Ziegler, Olivia, MS, PA-C