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NCT Number: NCT02686528

Postoperative Hip Precautions After Total Hip Arthroplasty Via the Posterior Approach: A Prospective Randomized Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine if hip precautions, which are instructions that limit functional use of a hip replacement after surgery, affect the rate of dislocation in the first six weeks after primary total hip replacement surgery. The impact of hip precautions on a patient's return to activities of daily living and overall patient satisfaction will also be investigated. The overall cost effectiveness of hip precautions will be determined.

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Key information

Conditions

Osteoarthritis Arthritis Degenerative Joint Disease Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Rheumatic Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Rush University Medical Center

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

About this study

This study examines the necessity of postoperative hip precautions in patients after primary total hip arthroplasty via the posterior approach. Precautions are instructions that limit the functional use of the hip and are given for the first six weeks after surgery, with the goal of preventing an instability event resulting in dislocation. The hip precautions that will be investigated in this study are: no hip flexion past 90º, no crossing the legs, and no twisting at the waist.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients undergoing a primary total hip arthroplasty via the posterior approach by participating attending surgeons at this institution
  • Index diagnosis of noninflammatory arthritis
  • Patients must be able to understand and comply with study procedures

Exclusion criteria

  • Allergy or intolerance to the study materials
  • History of previous surgeries on the affected joint other than arthroscopy; i.e. revision THA or open surgeries

Treatment and study plan

Hip Precautions

Other

Hip precautions are functional limitations of the hip replacement prescribed to patients for the first six weeks after surgery and are no hip flexion past 90º, no crossing the legs, and no twisting at the waist.

No Hip Precautions

Other

Patients will not be prescribed hip precautions in the first 6 weeks after surgery. The hip precautions that will no longer be prescribed are: no hip flexion past 90º, no crossing the legs, and no twisting at the waist.

Primary outcomes

  1. Dislocation

    Time frame: 6 weeks after surgery

    Incidence of dislocation of the total hip arthroplasty will be recorded for both treatment groups.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Activities of Daily Living

    Time frame: 1 year after surgery

    The time from surgery to return to activities of daily living will be measured for both treatment groups. This includes return to activities of bathing, return to work, and return to driving.

Other outcomes

  1. Use of Assistive Devices After Surgery

    Time frame: 6 months after surgery

    Patients will be surveyed in clinic after surgery about their use of assistive devices including seat extenders, extra pillows between the legs, and walkers. The use of these devices between groups will be compared and the cost per patient in each group for use of these devices will be determined, allowing for analysis of potential cost savings for patients not prescribed hip precautions.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rush University Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Are Postoperative Hip Precautions Necessary After a Total Hip Arthroplasty Via the Posterior Approach: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 19, 2016
Registry last updated
Nov 14, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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