Joint Replacement & Post-Op Orthopedic Care

After a total hip replacement, positioning precautions prevent the new joint from dislocating: avoid hip flexion beyond 90 degrees (no low chairs, no bending to put on shoes/socks), avoid crossing the legs or adducting past midline, and avoid internal rotation of the hip — an abduction pillow between the legs is commonly used in the early post-op period to physically enforce this positioning. After a total knee replacement, the focus shifts to early, consistent range-of-motion exercises (often with a continuous passive motion machine) to prevent stiffness, alongside standard post-surgical monitoring.