Total Hip Arthroplasty Rehabilitation Protocols
20 Total Hip Arthroplasty rehabilitation protocols from 16 institutions, published 2015–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.
Compare by institution
| Institution | Weight-Bearing | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Bogard Orthopedics — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Direct Anterior… | Per surgeon orders (communicate with physician) | No forceful hip ext or ER past neutral x 6-12 wks (dislocation precautions); limit hip extension per MD |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital — Total Hip Arthroplasty (All… | Commonly WBAT; PWB/TTWB more common with complex revisions or bone grafting | Approach-specific: Posterior (no flex >90 deg, no IR/ADD past neutral); Anterior (no ext/ER past neutral, no… |
| Dr. Garrett Kerns DO (UP Health System Marquette) — Total Hip… | WBAT | No lunges x 6 wks; no supine SLR x 6 wks; no weight machines x 3 months; no treadmill x 6 wks; no cuff… |
| Dr. Matt Byington DO (Prairie Orthopaedic & Plastic Surgery)… | Generally WBAT with walker x 3-6 wks then cane x 3-6 months; non-cemented hips: protected… | No hip ABD past neutral; no hip IR past neutral; no hip flex >90 deg (flex may increase >90 at 6 wks); adhere… |
| Lahey Hospital & Medical Center — Total Hip Arthroplasty… | Generally WBAT with AD for primary THA, unless otherwise indicated by MD | Active hip ext and ER allowed; limit passive ext and ER; no yoga x 6 wks; all precautions lifted at 6 wks… |
| Lahey Hospital & Medical Center — Total Hip Arthroplasty… | Generally WBAT with AD for primary THA, unless otherwise indicated by MD | Avoid passive and active ext with ER x 6 wks; no SLR into extension until week 6; all precautions lifted at 6… |
| Lahey Hospital & Medical Center — Total Hip Arthroplasty… | Generally WBAT with AD for primary THA, unless otherwise indicated by MD | No hip flex >90 deg; no hip IR or ADD beyond neutral; no combination of above motions x 6 wks; must use hip… |
| Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (U.S. Army) — Total Hip… | WBAT with walker or crutches | No flex >90 deg; no ADD past midline; no IR; all x 6 wks; sleep on back; pillow under ankle NOT under knee… |
| Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Mammoth Hospital PT — Anterior… | WBAT — wean walker to crutches to cane; avoid torque or twisting forces | No standing hip flexion with knee extension x6 weeks (then no restrictions unless spinal indications for… |
| Massachusetts General Hospital — Total Hip Arthroplasty… | Commonly WBAT; varies per surgeon | Approach-specific precautions (see protocol); no torque/twisting; no weights/resistance other than body… |
| Ortho Rhode Island — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Posterior… | Not explicitly stated; implied WBAT with least restrictive AD | Posterior: avoid excessive hip flex when lifting/carrying; avoid sitting in deep chairs (hips above knees)… |
| Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS) — Total Hip… | WBAT with assistive device unless otherwise specified; transition to 1 crutch/cane… | Limit passive extension and ER (direct anterior); avoid SLRs x4 wks; avoid overuse of hip flexor activation… |
| Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS) — Total Hip… | WBAT with assistive device unless otherwise specified; transition to 1 crutch/cane… | Traditional posterior THA precautions: flexion <90 deg, no IR or adduction past midline; abduction pillow… |
| Salina Regional Orthopedic Clinic — Total Hip Arthroplasty… | WBAT with AD as needed (crutches, walker) | No hip ext past 20 deg; no hip ER past 50 deg; strictly adhered x 6 wks, guarded progression thereafter; no… |
| Sanford Health — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior Approach) | Per physician orders (communicate with MD regarding WB status) | Dislocation precautions x 6-12 wks: no forceful hip ext or ER past neutral; limit hip ext per MD; full ROM… |
| Sanford Health — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Posterior Approach) | WBAT with AD; progress to FWB without AD by Phase IV (6-10 wks) | Posterior precautions: no hip flexion >90, no IR beyond neutral, no adduction beyond neutral for 6-12 wks… |
| South Shore Orthopedics / South Shore Health — Total Hip… | WBAT with crutches or walker unless otherwise ordered; AD required x 6 wks minimum | No flex >90 deg; no IR; no ADD past midline; no combinations of above motions; sleep with foot of bed flat… |
| STL Ortho Specialists — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior… | WBAT | No lunges; no SLR/heel slides/marching x 4-6 wks; no weight machines x 3 months; no treadmill x 6 wks; no… |
| Tri-Cities Joint Surgeon — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior… | WBAT | No lunges x 6 wks; no supine SLR x 6 wks; no weight machines x 3 months; no treadmill x 6 wks; no cuff… |
| University Hospitals — Total Hip Arthroplasty (All Approaches) | Weight bearing as tolerated (WBAT) with assistive device as needed from day 0; walker… | Anterior/anterolateral/direct lateral approach: no hip extension past 20 deg, no ER past 50 deg, caution with… |
All 20 Total Hip Arthroplasty protocols
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Direct Anterior Approach)
Bogard Orthopedics
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (All Approaches)
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior Approach)
Dr. Garrett Kerns DO (UP Health System Marquette)
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterolateral Approach)
Dr. Matt Byington DO (Prairie Orthopaedic & Plastic Surgery)
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Direct Anterior Approach)
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Lateral Approach)
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Posterior Approach)
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Posterior Approach)
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (U.S. Army)
Total Hip Arthroplasty — Anterior Approach
Mammoth Orthopedic Institute / Mammoth Hospital PT
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior Approach)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Posterior Approach)
Ortho Rhode Island
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior Approach)
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS)
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Posterior Approach)
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS)
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior Approach)
Salina Regional Orthopedic Clinic
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior Approach)
Sanford Health
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Posterior Approach)
Sanford Health
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Posterior Approach)
South Shore Orthopedics / South Shore Health
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior Approach)
STL Ortho Specialists
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (Anterior Approach)
Tri-Cities Joint Surgeon
Total Joint Replacement — Total Hip Arthroplasty (All Approaches)
University Hospitals