Total Hip Replacement — Anterolateral Approach

Orthopaedic Associates of Maine

Weight-Bearing

FWBAT; walker wk 1; cane wk 2 (nonsurgical side); no device by wk 3

Key Restrictions

Minimal precautions due to anterolateral approach; limit toe-out and hip extension behind plane of body; cautious with external rotation; no forced hip ER; goal: independent ambulation without device by 3 wks; preoperative PT visit required

Timeline & Phases

0-1 wks (walker, FWBAT, basic exercises), 1-2 wks (cane, stationary bike per MD, mini-squats, bridges), 2-4 wks (ambulate without device, step-up/down progression, lunges, single-leg balance)

Notes

Anterolateral approach has minimal hip precautions (compare to posterior approach); preop PT visit for HEP and precaution education; check with PT or MD before any activity unsure of