Safety Tips for Home

  • Use handrails on steps.
  • Use low-heeled or flat shoes.
  • Avoid wet or waxed floors.
  • Keep your floors free of items you could trip on. Throw rugs or small objects should be kept off the floor for your safety.
  • Watch for pets or other animals that could get in your way.
  • Avoid ice or snow.

Sleeping

You will likely be most comfortable sleeping on your back with a pillow between your knees or on the opposite side of your new hip with a pillow between your knees. Sleeping on your stomach or on your new hip will be uncomfortable and should be avoided for several weeks after surgery.

Avoiding Problems after Surgery

Blood clots

Follow your orthopedic surgeon's instructions carefully to minimize the potential of blood clots, which can occur during the first several weeks of your recovery.

Warning signs of possible blood clots in your leg include:

  • increasing pain in your calf.
  • tenderness or redness above or below your knee
  • increasing swelling in your calf, ankle, and foot.

Warning signs that a blood clot has traveled to your lung include:

  • sudden increase in shortness of breath
  • sudden onset of chest pain
  • localized chest pain with coughing

Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of these signs.

Infection

The most common causes of infection following total hip replacement surgery are from bacteria that enter the bloodstream during dental procedures, urinary tract infections, or skin infections. These bacteria can lodge around your knee replacement and cause an infection.

Following your surgery, you should take antibiotics prior to dental work or any surgical procedure that could allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream.

Hip Dislocation

Beware of hip dislocation. The following symptoms may come from dislocating your hip:

  • Severe hip pain
  • An unusual bulge at the side of your hip
  • A shortening of your leg
  • Difficulty and/or pain when walking
  • Abnormal, extreme rotation of your leg

If you suspect you have dislocated your hip, do not walk on it. Call your orthopedic surgeon and/or go to the emergency department immediately. You may need to be admitted to the hospital.

Additional Guidelines

Some of these precautions will need to become life-long habits. Check with your doctor if you have any questions.

  • Do not cross your legs or ankles when sitting, standing, or lying. Remember to keep pillows between your legs at night to keep from crossing your legs while sleeping. Also keep your knees apart while sitting.
  • Sit with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your toes pointing forward. This prevents your hip from turning inward or outward. Never let your knees knock together while sitting. Avoid twisting your upper body while sitting. Do not lift your knee higher than your new hip when sitting. A cushion or pillow may be needed to elevate chairs. A toilet seat extender can be used to elevate toilet seats.
  • Do not bend over at the waist or squat down to pick things up from the floor. Do not bend your upper body forward more than 90 degrees. It is best to avoid shoes that require tying for the first six weeks. Try to use slip-on shoes, or else have a caregiver assist you with tying your shoes. After six weeks you may sit in a chair and place your ankle on your opposite knee to tie your shoe rather than bending down to the floor. Refer to the Adaptive Equipment tab for items that will assist you in self-care activities.

More Information

Guidelines

Daily Activities

Exercises

Walking with Crutches

Adaptive Equipment

Additional Information & Resources

American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Contact Information
Joint Academy
Joint Infection Guidelines
When Is Same Day Surgery Right for You?

Hip & Knee Replacement Guides

Knee Replacement Guide

View the Knee Guide

Hip Replacement Guide

View the Hip Guide