Hip Replacement (Anterior) Precautions: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

You will need to be careful to protect your new joint after hip replacement surgery. Along with doing your physical therapy exercises, there are many things you can do to help your hip heal. Your recovery may be faster if you follow these precautions.

Try to keep your hip within the safe positions while it heals. Some leg and foot movements may increase the risk of dislocating your hip. Try to avoid those positions.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Safe positions for your hip

slide 1 of 3

slide 1 of 3, Safe positions for your hip,

1. Keep your toes pointing forward or slightly in. Don't rotate your leg too far out to the side.
2. Move your leg or knee forward. Try not to step back.
3. Keep your knees apart. Don't cross your legs.

Try not to stretch your hip too far back

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slide 2 of 3, Try not to stretch your hip too far back,

1. Don't step backward or bend backward.
2. Avoid lying on your stomach.

Don't cross your legs

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slide 3 of 3, Don't cross your legs,

1. Imagine there's a line running down the middle of your body. Keep your legs from crossing over it.

• Don't cross your legs when you sit.
• Don't cross your ankles while lying down.
• It may help to keep a pillow between your knees when you're in bed.

Other tips

• Go slowly when you climb stairs. Make sure the lights are on. Have someone watch you, if possible. When you climb stairs:
  • Step up first with your unaffected leg. Then bring the affected leg up to the same step. Bring your crutches or cane up.
  • To go down stairs, reverse the order. First, put your crutches or cane on the lower step. Then bring the affected leg down to that step. Finally, step down with the unaffected leg.
• You can ride in a car, but stop at least once every hour to get out and walk around.
• If your doctor recommends exercises, do them as directed. You can cut back on your exercises if your muscles start to ache, but don't stop doing them.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).
• You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.
• You have severe pain in your chest.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have signs that your hip may be dislocated, including:
  • Severe pain and not being able to stand.
  • A crooked leg that looks like your hip is out of position.
  • Not being able to bend or straighten your leg.
• Your leg or foot turns cold or changes color.
• You have tingling, weakness, or numbness in your leg or foot.
• You have signs of a blood clot, such as:
  • Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
  • Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.
• You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
• Your incision opens and starts to bleed, or there's more bleeding.
• You have signs of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • Red streaks leading from the incision.
  • Pus draining from the incision.
  • A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You do not have a bowel movement after taking a laxative.
• You do not get better as expected.