Best Standing and Sitting Positions

Most of these restrictions apply to patients who have undergone total hip replacements. Patients with partial hip replacements generally have few, if any, restrictions.

Standing / Walking

When turning, don't plant your foot and rotate your new hip inward. Instead, turn both your feet and your body at the same time.

When attempting to step up a curb, move as close to your walker as possible, then put your weight on both legs and lift it onto the sidewalk. Step onto the sidewalk first with the un-operated leg. Using the walker to support your weight, bring up the operated leg.

As your recovery progresses and you begin to walk up and down stairs, use your good leg first in walking upstairs, then bring your operated leg up to meet it. When going downstairs, always step down with your operated leg first.

Sitting

To sit, back up until the edge of the chair or bed touches your leg. Then, using the armrests or mattress to support your weight, lower yourself into a sitting position and lean back. To stand up, reverse these steps.

Use a firm chair with a straight back, armrests and a high seat.

Always sit with your knees level with or lower than your hips.

Always sit with your back upright.

Keep both feet on the floor and your hips 6 inches apart.

Don't let your hip cross the midline of your body.

With the BFH® hip replacement you do not have to worry as much about dislocating your hip as with the traditional standard hip replacement that utilizes a smaller sized femoral component. When lying down you may lie on either side as long as you are comfortable, just place a pillow between your knees if you have a traditional total hip.

Getting Out of Bed

Get out of bed on the side of your prosthetic hip, keeping your thighs apart.

Pivot on your hips, using your arms to help. With your good leg, gradually scoot to the edge of the bed. Keep your operated leg out to the side - do not twist it inward.

Sit on the edge of the bed with your operated leg slightly forward. With your hands behind your hips, push up - without bending forward - to stand up.

Using the Toilet

When using the toilet, step back until you feel the toilet touch the back of your legs.

Place your operated leg in front of you, keeping your weight on the other leg.

Looking behind you, grasp the side rails and lower yourself onto the front of the toilet, then edge back. To stand up, reverse these steps

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