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Happy New Year to All,

My question is after a client has hip surgery, do you position the client on the affected side or the unaffected side?

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Depends on the type of surgery, the approach the surgeon takes and the compliance of the pt, the wt bearing status too.

If its a pin and plate (DHS) you can place them on either side.

If its a full replacement, you may or may not - depending on factors listed above. If you place them on the unopertive side, you have to make sure to support the opertive hip so it doesn't slip back and dislocate. One surgeon of ours puts everyone NWB and that includes lying of the opertive side.

Confusing!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.

Usually depends on the surgeon. Some only want the affected side, some want only the unaffected. I would just have the MD clarify. I agree- it's confusing.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

As ortho nurse 17 years, we always lay patients on the unaffected side.

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