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

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Your Recovery

Hip replacement surgery replaces the worn parts of your hip joint.

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?

What are some precautions for self-care after hip replacement surgery (posterior)?

Three examples of safe positions of foot, knee, and leg after surgery
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slide 1 of 3, What are some precautions for self-care after hip replacement surgery (posterior)?,
  1. Keep your toes pointing forward or slightly out. Don't rotate your leg too far to the inside.
  2. Do not bend your hip more than 90 degrees.
  3. Keep your knees apart. Don't cross your legs.

Hip Replacement (Posterior) Precautions: Don't bend your hip too far

Two examples of wrong ways to bend the hip when sitting
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slide 2 of 3, Hip Replacement (Posterior) Precautions: Don't bend your hip too far,
  1. Don't lean forward while you sit down or stand up, and don't bend past 90 degrees (like the angle in a letter "L"). This means you can't try to pick up something off the floor or bend down to tie your shoes.
  2. Don't lift your knee higher than your hip.
  3. Don't sit on low chairs, beds, or toilets. You may want to use a raised toilet seat for a while. Sit in chairs with arms.

Hip Replacement (Posterior) Precautions: Don't cross your legs

Two examples of wrong ways to cross legs after hip surgery, both sitting and in bed
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slide 3 of 3, Hip Replacement (Posterior) Precautions: 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.
  2. When you get into a car, back up to the seat of the car, and then sit and slide across the seat toward the middle of the car with your knees about 12 inches apart. A plastic bag on the seat can help you slide in and out of the car.
  1. Don't cross your legs when you sit.
  2. Don't cross your ankles while lying down.
  3. 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 you can. 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.
  • You may want to sleep on your back. Don't reach down too far to pull up blankets when you lie in bed.
  • 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.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

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.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.