How soon post op do you turn your total hip replacement pattients?

P_RN, ADN, RN · May 15, 2003

Q 2h back to unop side. SOME docs will allow partial turn to operative side if an abduction wedge is used. I'm not so concerned about nerve damage as I am about atalectasis, pneumaona and skin impairment.

brinasmommy27 · May 15, 2003

I agree with you...what I am asking you is how soon after they come to the post op floor do you turn them? Do you do it as soon as 2 hours or do you wait a little while? v

P_RN, ADN, RN · May 15, 2003

No we turn them after about 1 hr from PACU. That's usually when they are more comfortable and family has slowed down on their visiting. It would also depend on whether you needed to check the epidural site or the dressing again...maybe sooner if there's a problem there.

ga.bones · May 16, 2003

We also turn a couple of hours out of PACU.

Keysnurse2008 · Aug 10, 2003

Our facility now does most of their total hips via lap.a very small incision, decreases their LOS and reduces their post op complications.Our fresh post op pts have abduction pillows in place and are not turned for the few hours /or night of surgery.The next day...like within 12 hours PT has them up walking.Just like any other surgical patient the worst thing they can do is become immobile .the quicker you can get them OOB the faster the recovery.we maintain hip alignment during hours of sleep with an abduction pillow and ambulate with PT asap.

jax · Aug 15, 2003

I haven't seen THR done via laproscope - sounds great. Curious as to what is the average length of stay? Are hemi-arthroplastys open or done via laproscope?

Thanks for any replies. Jax

KimRN03 · Oct 12, 2003

We turn once pain is controlled, then q 2 hrs.

mjamesRN · Dec 15, 2003

Directly received from PACU, and as long as pain is controlled and an Abductor pillow is in place, you should be able to turn your patient -- carefully of course -- you have to tuen them usually anyway to remove excess linens and listen to lung sounds.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2003

We can turn straight from PACU if we want or need to. As long as the BP is stable and pain is controlled we let them go to position of comfort for them. Unaffected side only where i work. If i were to really watch the clock on it, it would probly be more like 2 hours though, because by the time we get them settled, assessed, get them some PO liquids, maybe a bedpan, and family has assured themselves it is at least that long.

ocicat · Mar 12, 2004

Why not turn them? What are you afraid of? After all you can always turn them back.

Seriously, the sooner you get them to understand that turning is important the better.

ocicat · Mar 12, 2004

The main nerve injury is usually the peroneal nerve and that has to do with where the abductor straps are placed and if they are too tight.