"We really reinforce and make sure the patient is independent and has a full understanding of what the precautions are prior to discharge." Doctor Thomas P. Sculco, Surgeon-in-Chief at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, reviews some common precautions for patients to take after surgery to ensure the surgery is successful.

Janet Cahill:

We really reinforce and make sure the patient is independent and has a full understanding of what the precautions are prior to discharge.



Following total hip arthroplasty, the three precautions that we follow here are no hip flexion beyond 90 degrees. Which means no sitting on a any low chair or soft couch, no crossing your legs, and then the last one is no internal rotation so turning your toes or kneecaps inward.



Dr. Sculco:

Because the ball is smaller, intrinsically there is less stability in the system. You get too much flexibility, theoretically it could dislocate.



Janet Cahill:

We really reinforce and make sure the patient is independent and has a full understanding of what the precautions are prior to discharge.



Dr. Sculco:

But for the most part soft tissues heal around this and the hip is very stable.