Hip Precautions

Barriers:

  • Hip precautions must be maintained to prevent dislocation of the joint following surgery, which affects the types of positioning that can be used (Meiri, Rosenbaum, & Kalichman, 2014).
  • Positioning typically needs to change the most for female partners, as typical positions include abduction and external rotation.
  • Majority of orthopedic surgeons suggested sex could be resumed 1-3 months post-operation, if recommended positions were used (Dahm, Jacofsky, & Lewallen, 2004).
  • Always confirm with the surgeon if the patient is cleared for sex and what precautions remain.

Strategies:

  • Prior to resuming sexual intercourse, couples could engage in activities such as oral sex, mutual masturbation, or manual stimulation.

Recommended positions for the penetrating partner (Dahm, 2004)

    • Standing behind partner (A1)
    • Prone over partner, hips flexed less than 70 degrees (A2 & A4)
    • Supine with partner on top, pillow underneath thighs (A3 & A5)

Recommended positions for non-penetrating partner (Dahm, 2004)

  • Supine with pillows supporting abdomen (B1)
  • Supine with legs off of surface, knees flexed to 90 degrees, hips in neutral (B2)
  • Standing with trunk resting on surface, hips flexed to less than 90 degrees (B3)

The following image is a modified version of the results from the study mentioned above. It provides a color-coded version to see which positions are acceptable for each of the partners (American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, 2018).

References

American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. (2018). Sex after total hip replacement. Retrieved from https://hipknee.aahks.org/a-guide-to-returning-to-sexual-activity-following-total-hip-and-knee-replacement/

Dahm, D. L., Jacofsky, D., & Lewallen, D. G. (2004). Surgeons rarely discuss sexual activity with patients after THA: A survey of members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 428, 237-240. doi: 10.1097/01.blo.0000137555.74475.a5

Meiri, R., Rosenbaum, T. Y., & Kalichman, L. (2014). Sexual function before and after total hip replacement: Narrative review. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2(4), 159-167. doi: 10.1002/sm2.35