Posterior Hip Replacement
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A posterior hip replacement is a procedure that approaches the hip from the back side. Some surgeons prefer this method while others prefer that Anterior hip replacement.
Posterior simply means “toward the back” and Anterior means “toward the front.”
There are advantages to both. Read on to learn the differences and what to expect during posterior hip replacement rehabilitation.
Click to learn what to expect after having and Anterior Hip Replacement.
Hip Replacement
What Happens with a Posterior Hip Replacement?
Hip replacement surgery is orthopedic surgery to replace the joint surfaces of the hip. With a posterior hip replacement, the orthopedic surgeon makes and incision in the back of the hip region near the buttocks. They separate the muscle fibers in the back of the hip region to expose the hip joint. Posterior hip replacement allows the surgeon to spare the muscles with out cutting them.
The head and neck of the femur is removed and a prosthetic is inserted into the shaft of the femur or thigh bone. The socket of the pelvic is fitted for a prosthetic socket or acetabulum. A smooth gliding surface is placed in the new acetabulum component.
When the new hip components are in place, the surgeon closes the back of the hip capsule and closes the incision.
What are the Advantages of Posterior Hip Replacement?
Posterior hip replacements are the most common type of hip replacement. They have a high success rate. The muscle sparing allows for good recovery of walking muscles.
Risks With Posterior Hip Replacement
The most common risk after posterior hip replacement is the risk of dislocation of the new hip. This is because the posterior joint capsule and muscles that were exposed during surgery need time to heal. The risk of dislocation is higher for several months after a posterior THA or hip replacement.
Patients are instructed on precautions to follow after the surgery to decrease the risk of dislocation. These include:
- No bending over past 90 degrees.
- No flexing the hip up past 90 degrees.
- No crossing the legs.
- No rotating the leg inward.
Other risks after hip replacement include:
- Infection
- Hemarthrosis (bleeding into the joint)
- Blood Clot
- Leg Length Discrepancy
Physical Therapy After A Posterior Hip Replacement
Physical Therapy after a posterior hip replacement usually begins in the hospital. A physical therapist will train patients to walk and ensure they are safe with household walking activity. They also train patients on getting up and down from a chair or toilet. The PT will also educate patients on hip precautions.
At home, a home health physical therapist may come to the house for a week or 2 to begin strength and walking training.
PT with a patient on a walker
2 to 3 weeks after the hip replacement, most patients begin outpatient physical therapy for a few weeks to a few months. Outpatient physical therapy is where patients build advanced strength and return to normal daily function.
Some patients go directly to outpatient physical therapy 2 to 3 days after the surgery.
When Can You Walk After a Posterior Hip Replacement?
Most people walk in the hospital on the same day as their surgery. It is important to get up and walk early to increase functional independence and decrease other medical risks after surgery.
Most patients start walking with a walker. This allows them to slowly increase the weight placed on the new hip as they can tolerate it.
When stability and safety increase with walking, patients can transition to a cane. This usually happens about a month after the surgery but the time frame can vary from person to person.
What Equipment Do You Need after a Posterior Hip Replacement?
There are a few pieces of equipment that can make life at home easier after a hip replacement. These include:
- Raised toilet seat – Some standard toilets are too low to keep hip precautions when sitting.
- Walker – This is needed in the hospital as well.
- Cane
- Hip Kit – A hip kit has tools that help with daily activity without breaking hip precautions. It includes:
- Shoe horn
- Grabber/Reacher
- Sock tool
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