A patient is being discharged after total hip replacement. Which statement indicates understanding of hip dislocation prevention?

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Multiple Choice

A patient is being discharged after total hip replacement. Which statement indicates understanding of hip dislocation prevention?

After a total hip replacement, protecting the new joint means avoiding positions that push the hip into dislocation, especially adduction, excessive flexion, and internal rotation. Not crossing the affected leg over the other leg keeps the hip from moving into adduction and inward rotation, which are common routes to dislocation when the joint is healing. Bending more than 90 degrees at the hip increases flexion beyond a safe limit, raising dislocation risk. Turning the leg inward while lying in bed promotes internal rotation, another position that can destabilize the joint. Keeping knees together doesn’t specifically prevent the risky adduction/rotation patterns and isn’t as protective as avoiding crossing the legs.

After a total hip replacement, protecting the new joint means avoiding positions that push the hip into dislocation, especially adduction, excessive flexion, and internal rotation. Not crossing the affected leg over the other leg keeps the hip from moving into adduction and inward rotation, which are common routes to dislocation when the joint is healing.

Bending more than 90 degrees at the hip increases flexion beyond a safe limit, raising dislocation risk. Turning the leg inward while lying in bed promotes internal rotation, another position that can destabilize the joint. Keeping knees together doesn’t specifically prevent the risky adduction/rotation patterns and isn’t as protective as avoiding crossing the legs.

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