Positioning after Total Hip Replacement

Semi-fowler or a supine is fine depending on awake or asleep and where the patient feels the most comfortable.

I generally keep my THA's at about a 20-30 degree angle post op. The main goal is just to keep the hip from going to or over that 90 degree angle in the early parts of recovery. I generally will put them up to about 60 degrees I estimate for getting out of bed reminding them to watch their angles.

Semi-Fowler is also nice because I notice not a lot of patients want to be totally flat in a hospital bed, and it makes for good airway movement post anaesthesia and a safe position for eating, drinking watching the tv.

Also, abduction pillow between the knees, baby steps for turns and slow, careful movements.

Tait

Semi-fowler or a supine is fine depending on awake or asleep and where the patient feels the most comfortable.

I generally keep my THA's at about a 20-30 degree angle post op. The main goal is just to keep the hip from going to or over that 90 degree angle in the early parts of recovery. I generally will put them up to about 60 degrees I estimate for getting out of bed reminding them to watch their angles.

Semi-Fowler is also nice because I notice not a lot of patients want to be totally flat in a hospital bed, and it makes for good airway movement post anaesthesia and a safe position for eating, drinking watching the tv.

Also, abduction pillow between the knees, baby steps for turns and slow, careful movements.

Tait

What a truly excellent post. Thank you.