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Care of your dressing will be included in your discharge instructions. If you are unable to find
your discharge instructions, please call your surgeon's office for further information.
HIP REP LACEMENT RE MI NDERS
To continue with the precautions you learned during your hospital stay**, the following are
DO's and DON'Ts regarding those posterior approach hip precautions.
**Please refer to the hip precautions noted in the Post-Operative Section of this guide.
DO'S
DO turn onto the non-surgical side with two to three pillows between your legs.
DO use a RAISED TOILET SEAT if needed.
DO keep the operated hip turned outward with the ABDUCTION pillow between your
legs if instructed.
DO RECLINE when you sit.
DO observe other precautions, such as how much weight to put on your leg.
DON'TS
DO NOT turn on to the operated hip.
DO NOT sit in a low chair.
DO NOT cross your legs.
DO NOT turn your toes inward.
DO NOT lean forward when you sit.
DO NOT bend the operated hip more than 90 degrees.
If you had an anterior approach, here are some further recommendations:
NO active straight leg raises
NO "pushing off" with the operative leg.
o For stair training, up with the non-operative leg, and down with the operative leg
with assistive devices as indicated.
o When transferring, allow operative leg to be forward with sit/stand to decrease
torque on that side.
For other anterior precautions, please specifically ask your surgeon.
SIGNS OF HIP DISLOCA TION
It is possible but unlikely for your new hip to slip out of the socket (dislocate) during the healing
process. This is a rare event and may result from a fall or other trauma after surgery. Call your
doctor or 9-1-1 if you notice any of the following:
Inability to walk or stand (bear weight) on your surgical leg