Total Hip Replacement — Direct Superior Approach

Orthopaedic Associates of Maine

Weight-Bearing

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

Key Restrictions

No resisted hip external rotation for 4-6 wks; NO standard hip precautions required — Direct Superior Technique has very low dislocation risk with normal activities; cautious with hip ER exercises wks 1-2; preoperative PT visit required; check with PT or MD before any unsure activity

Timeline & Phases

0-1 wks (walker, FWBAT, basic HEP), 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

Direct Superior approach = NO standard hip precautions (contrast with posterior approach); only restriction is no resisted hip ER for 4-6 wks; preop PT visit for HEP and education