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The following precautions should be observed for the next
eight to twelve weeks following your total hip surgery.
It is up to you and your physician to discuss when you can
resume normal activity.
Motions
that are not allowed following a total hip
replacement include:
- Hip
flexion more than 90°
- Hip
rotation inwards or outwards
- Hip
adduction - you are not allowed to cross your leg past
your body's midline towards the opposite leg.
This
means that:
Sitting:
- Do
not lean forward from a sitting position
- Do
not pull your knee toward your chest
- Do
not cross your legs or ankles
- Keep
your toes pointed straight ahead
When
coming to stand:
- Slide
your operated leg forward before you sit or stand
- Lean
backwards to slide your buttocks forward to the
edge of the chair
- Keep
your hands on the chair/bed to stand up or sit down. Do
not hold onto the walker as it is not secure.
- Push
from the chair/bed straight upwards to stand. Do not lean
forward.
- Avoid
low soft chairs.
Lying
Down:
- Do
not cross legs or ankles
- Lie
on your back or on your operated side. DO NOT lie on the
non-operated side.
- Do
not pull your knees to your chest.
- Keep
your toes pointed towards the ceiling/straight ahead.
- Keep
your legs separated by using the blue abduction pillow
between your legs for the next 8 weeks, whenever sleeping.
Walking:
- Keep
your legs separated and the toes of the operated leg pointed
straight ahead.
- Do
not pivot on the operated leg.
- When
turning, take small steps and turn towards the good side/unoperated
side.
- Continue
to use your walker/crutches until your doctor gives you
further orders.
Stair
climbing:
- Going
up, you lead with the good (unoperated) leg with the assistive
device following.
- Coming
down, lead with the assistive device, then the operated
leg, and then the non-operated leg.
Once
you are allowed to bathe, take a shower rather than a bath.
You may need to use a tub stool while bathing.
If
you drop an object on the floor, do not pick it up. Wait
for another person to pick it up or use some type of long
handled reacher.
Before
you leave the hospital, an Occupational Therapist will demonstrate
ways (through the use of several helpful devices) to put
on and remove shoes, socks, and pants. She will also demonstrate
and explain how to pick up objects from the floor, bathe
the feet, and transfer into the car.
If
you have any questions after you get home, please feel free
to contact your therapist at 410-532-3920 between 8:00 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m.
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