Precautions After Surgery

General rules of total hip replacement that the patient needs to follow are:

• In the first six to eight weeks after the operation, the individual receiving a total hip needs to avoid bending the hip beyond 90 degrees. This can be achieved by keeping knees below the hips when sitting. Sitting on a small pillow can help with this positioning. Avoiding sitting in sofas or couches which may cause excessive bend at the hip.

• Avoid bending over from the hip to reach the floor.

• Avoid crossing the surgical leg over the non-surgical leg. When sitting, it is good advice to keep the legs three to six inches apart.

• Avoid turning the operated leg inward, i.e. pigeon-toed.