Have you just had a hip replacement, and you have been given instructions about what you can do or not. Are you wondering when these restrictions are met to last, whether they are permanent or not.
In this article I will be answering some of your questions about restrictions after a hip replacement.
I have seen these kinds of surgeries done and I often see a full recovery from patients after the operation.
I will rely on my knowledge as a diagnostic radiographer and of course rely on scientific medical studies on the subject matter.
Happy reading!😀 and feel free to ask questions in the comments or share your own experience.🙏
Last updated: Sept, 2025. Written by Juliet Semakula, a diagnostic radiographer.
Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links,full disclosure in the legal section.
| Summary: Total hip replacement is a highly successful treatment, and it offers significant pain relief and improved quality of life by restoring function and mobility. You will be given restrictions during the healing process. And you will be able to return to your normal life activities without pain unless your doctor has restricted you permanently based on your case. |
▶️Hip joint anatomy
The hip joint allows for a variety of movements due to its ball-and-socket structure. It allows for a wide range of motion crucial for activities such as walking, running and daily movements.
These movements include flexion:
♦️Extension
♦️Abduction.
♦️Adduction.
♦️Internal rotation.
♦️External rotation.
These movements are facilitated by the bony structures of the hip (femur and pelvis) and the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and cartilage.
So, when you have a hip replacement for any reason, typically it will help:
♦️To restore range of movement.
♦️Pain reduction and stiffness.
But this new hip joint’s movement can be limited compared to a natural hip, especially when you engage in high-impact activities.
During these procedures, I have seen surgeons use different approaches when operating for example the posterior and lateral or direct anterior approach.
▶️What is the difference between anterior and posterior hip replacement?
The primary difference between anterior and posterior hip replacement surgeries, lies in the surgical approach.
During a hip replacement your surgeon may decide to access the hip joint anterior or posterior.
⚪Anterior hip replacement uses an incision at the front of the hip.
⚪While posterior hip replacement uses an incision at the back.
⚪ Lateral approach uses an incision from the side.
Posterior approach involves splitting of gluteus maximus to access the hip joint posteriorly.
This kind of approach allows for excellent exposure of both acetabulum and femur and avoids disruption of the hip abductors.
Ang,2023
Posterior approach has been associated with an increased dislocation risk compared to lateral approach or anterior approach.
Lateral or anterior approach has a lower risk of dislocation but is associated with superior gluteal nerve injury, heterotopic ossification and impaired abductor function
Comparison of postoperative incision appearance and X-ray images between patients who underwent direct anterior approach and posterior lateral approach for THA. (Image Lu,2025 posterior hip)
| All these approaches have their respective advantages and disadvantages which sometimes can lead to restrictions after the operation |
▶️Why are there restrictions after a hip replacement?
Restrictions are necessary after a hip replacement to protect the new joint.
After your surgery, you will be given temporary precautions to follow as you heal.
The aim is to prevent:
⚫Dislocation.
⚫Allow the surrounding tissues, muscles, and ligaments to heal.
⚫Promoting strength and stability: As the tissues heal, they become stronger, and this naturally decreases the risk of dislocation over time.
The healing can take several weeks to months; in the process your doctor may restrict you from doing certain things until you fully recover from a hip replacement.
▶️What are the restrictions after hip replacement?
Here are some movements to avoid after a hip replacement.
⏬Bending the hip past 90 degrees: You will be restricted from bending your new hip more than 90 degrees for the first 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.
⏬Crossing your legs: Avoid crossing your legs or ankles, whether sitting, standing, or lying down.
⏬Twisting your body: Do not twist your body or your operated leg.
⏬Avoid sitting in low chairs or using low toilet seats.
Theoretical restrictions movement after a hip replacement: images from London health science centre
⏬Do not let your operated leg turn inward or outward too far. Try to keep your toes pointing forward, not to the side. Do not twist your body when you are standing.
Theoretical restrictions movement after a hip replacement: images from London health science centre
⏬High-Impact Activities: Avoid exercises involving jumping, sudden turns, or those with a high risk of falling.
⏬Driving: You will likely be advised to refrain from driving for a period after surgery.
| All these movements can put the hip at risk of dislocating.so it is very important to follow your doctors’ instructions for the initial healing period.This helps ensure a safe recovery and a successful long-term outcome for your new hip. |
▶️Restrictions after an Anterior hip replacement (less common).
During your operation, the surgeon will work between muscles and tendons, potentially minimizing muscle damage during the whole procedure.
While the anterior hip replacement approach generally allows for fewer restrictions than the posterior approach,
I have seen patients being advised to avoid:
⏬External rotation of the leg (toes pointing out) and hip extension (bringing the leg behind the body) for the first six weeks to prevent hip dislocation. This means no pivoting on the surgical leg.
⏬Avoiding sleeping with the leg behind the body and taking small steps when turning.
⏬Avoid bending the hip more than 90 degrees, sitting on low chairs, and crossing their legs.
Here is a you Tube video by Halton healthcare showing more restrictions:
▶️Restrictions after A posterior hip replacement (more common)
When you have had a posterior hip replacement you may be given hip precautions after the operation to help reduce the risk of dislocation by:
⏬Avoid crossing your legs or ankles.
⏬You may not be allowed to bend your hip past 90 degrees.
⏬Or twisting your operated leg to prevent dislocation.
A systematic review done by different researchers of 7 studies with over 6,900 patients who had undergone hip replacement (Crompton et al 2020)
Had this to say about restrictions of posterior hip replacement:
Prosthesis dislocation is a rare complication of the posterior approach of a total hip replacement but with a significant impact on mortality and morbidity.
Over 11-24 % of people who have revision procedures of a posterior hip replacement are because of recurrent dislocation with a reported dislocated rate post 2.5% which was thought to be influenced by surgical approach.
Of over 6900 people who had total hip replacement:
🟢Only 146 had dislocations
(Crompton et al 2020)
However, multiple large-scale retrospective studies have demonstrated no difference in dislocation rates regardless of approach used (Guo ,2024).
So, there’s no need to stress too much about all the specific advice you might receive about good postures to take, especially when you think you have healed well.
These movements often occur when trying to put on shoes while sitting on a chair and placing the foot on the side rather than inward, bending down to pick up something, or getting in or out of a bathtub.
To avoid discomfort and dislocation always take time when performing all these movements
🟢Try to use tools to help you reach your feet when you want to pick up something on the floor.
🟢Try to sit in an elevated chair.
🟢Sleeping on your back with a pillow between your legs.
Most of these restrictions are not permanent, typically can last for the first 3 to 6 weeks, no matter what you do the risk of a dislocation is very low.
It is even noticed that people who are not aware of this risk of dislocation:
🟢Do not experience dislocations more frequently.
🟢Resume their usual activities more quickly.
🟢 Are more satisfied with their care.
▶️Are there things you can never do again after a hip replacement and how long do hip restrictions last?
You may be wondering if you need to avoid certain sports or activities for the rest of your life with a hip prosthesis.
While your lower limb movements will be slightly more limited than before, this won’t interfere with your daily life or many physical activities and sports such as brisk walking, cycling, and swimming.
Hip restrictions after hip replacement surgery typically last for 6 to 12 weeks, but this timeframe can vary depending on a few things:
⚫The surgical approach your surgeon used
⚫Your individual healing progress.
Also, these factors may determine whether you can engage in more demanding activities:
⚫Your level of activity before the hip replacement, the more active you were before the more likely you will be able to resume your activities.
⚫Your age, body mass and general health.
▶️Do you have to avoid sports or activities for the rest of your life to prevent a dislocation?
The literature about returning to high impact sports following a hip replacement is very sparse.
In most research databases, there is no empirical evidence to show that modern hip replacement wear is based on the frequency or intensity of any sports played.
A retrospective study of hip resurfacing in triathlon players, to determine:
1️⃣Whether it is possible to return to this kind of sport.
2️⃣ If so, whether it is possible to return to the same level.
3️⃣How a resurfaced hip behaves under these conditions.
Girard,2017
Results:
Of over 48 patients that were followed up for 5 years who had returned to sports.
There were no cases of dislocation or implant revision: of over 94% returned to sports for example:
♦️79% returned to swimming
♦️85% returned to cycling.
♦️ 69% returned to running.
So, you do not have to avoid all sports for the rest of your life to prevent dislocation.
Many activities can safely be reintroduced with medical guidance, focusing on low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and cycling.
Sports like running, jogging, jumping, and sports involving high impact are generally discouraged for some people, as they can put excessive stress on the new joint and lead to premature wear.
▶️Instead, you can follow these key principles to help with long term success after a hip replacement.
♦️Reduce the risk by strengthening muscles around the joint this will help improve stability.
♦️Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall joint health and muscle nourishment.
♦️Try to wear protective gear, using proper technique, warming up and cooling down before and after activity,
♦️Always listen to your body to rest when needed.
♦️If you keep getting recurrent dislocations, you might need to avoid specific lifetime activities or positions that trigger them.
♦️Always consult your doctor or physical therapy for personalized advice.
I have seen people reduce or avoid activities such as running, jumping and football, that have excessive stress on the hip joint.
Always weigh the benefits and risks in your case before resuming any sports after a hip operation.
▶️Are you considered disabled after a hip replacement?
I have come across this question on so many google searches. First let’s understand that having a hip replacement does not automatically mean you are disabled.
Under the United Kingdom Equality Act 2010 law
Having a hip replacement does not automatically mean you are disabled under UK law.
♦️You may only be considered disabled if your recovery from the surgery results in a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Most hip replacement patients I see, normally have a good recovery and are not considered disabled.
You will be classified as disabled only if you have a physical or mental impairment that is long term, and it is affecting your daily life activities.
Under the United States of America social security administration (SSA) law.
A hip replacement itself doesn’t automatically qualify you as disabled.
♦️You are only considered disabled if the surgery’s complications or residual effects substantially impact your ability to perform daily activities.
♦️For example, if after the operation you could not go back to work for a period of 1 year
It is a bit confusing because the Social Security Administration (SSA) lists reconstructive hip surgery as a potentially disabling impairment under its Blue Book, but only if you are unable to walk effectively for a year or more after the operation.
If you fail to meet Blue Book Listings for a disabling hip replacement, you might still be eligible for benefits through a medical-vocational allowance if your limitations are severe enough to prevent you from doing any work.
We have come to the end of this article, wishing you a quick recovery,🙋 any questions in the comments section please.
Here are other articles you may also like.
⚫Hip fracture, treatment and recovery tips.
⚫Dislocated hip, what causes it and treatment.
⚫How soon can your drive after a hip replacement
📚Source:
Lu, S., Li, Y., Chai, W. et al. Clinical efficacy of direct anterior approach versus posterior lateral approach for total hip replacement in middle-aged and elderly patients of femoral neck fracture. Sci Rep 15, 5273 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83371-x
Ang JJM, Onggo JR, Stokes CM, Ambikaipalan A. Comparing direct anterior approach versus posterior approach or lateral approach in total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2023 Oct;33(7):2773-2792. doi: 10.1007/s00590-023-03528-8. Epub 2023 Apr 3. PMID: 37010580; PMCID: PMC10504117.
Ackerman IN, Bohensky MA, Zomer E, Tacey M, Gorelik A, Brand CA, de Steiger R. The projected burden of primary total knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis in Australia to the year 2030. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019 Feb 23;20(1):90. doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-2411-9. PMID: 30797228; PMCID: PMC6387488.
Crompton J, Osagie-Clouard L, Patel A. Do hip precautions after posterior-approach total hip arthroplasty affect dislocation rates? A systematic review of 7 studies with 6,900 patients. Acta Orthop. 2020 Dec;91(6):687-692. doi: 10.1080/17453674.2020.1795598. Epub 2020 Jul 28. PMID: 32718213; PMCID: PMC8023879.
Girard J, Lons A, Pommepuy T, Isida R, Benad K, Putman S. High-impact sport after hip resurfacing: The Ironman triathlon. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2017 Sep;103(5):675-678. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2017.04.004. Epub 2017 May 25. PMID: 28552834.
Goldstein WM, Gleason TF, Kopplin M, Branson JJ. Prevalence of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty through a posterolateral approach with partial capsulotomy and capsulorrhaphy. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001;83-A Suppl 2(Pt 1):2-7. doi: 10.2106/00004623-200100021-00002. PMID: 11685838.
Guo J, He Q, Sun Y, Liu X, Li Y. No need for hip precautions after total hip arthroplasty with posterior approach: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Dec 13;103(50):e40348. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040348. PMID: 39686472; PMCID: PMC11651519.
Images from: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/joint-replacement-surgery/hip-precautions