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Activity Restrictions After Total Hip Replacement

By Laura Inverarity, D.O., About.com

Updated: February 27, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board


After a total hip replacement with a posterior incision, three movements should be avoided to prevent dislocation of the hip prosthesis. Not all patients need to comply with these restrictions,as they differ with the incision location and type of hip prosthesis. However, after many hip replacement surgeries with a posterior located incision, the "new" hip joint can have the tendency to dislocate. To prevent this, the three motions to avoid immediately after total hip replacement include:

1) Hip flexion past 90 degrees

2) Crossing your operated leg over your non-operative leg (adduction)

3) Walking pigeon toed (internal rotation of the hip)

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