Forbidden Zone

[chuckm]

I think just about everyone here gets post op instructions from their surgeon to avoid internal rotation - don't point toes inward on op leg. My PT orders said the same thing.
Is this a permanent restriction? I can't find much on this and I am 12 weeks post op.
I feel as though this is the last area in my current ROM that remains tight, but I can't find any info how or if I should exercise this movement. I'm about to email my surgeon on this but I also wanted to ask the hippy's out there if they have any knowledge on this.
Thanks,
Chuck M

[Dannywayoflife]

This should be a temporary restriction it's to allow your muscles to heal to the point where they can support the device without risk of dislocation. Rom is the last thing to return!

[hernanu]

Danny is correct, it is usually temporary.

[John C]

Traditional small head THRs sometimes have this as a lifetime restriction to avoid dislocation. I have seen people dislocate small head THRs through internal rotation combined with flexion doing something as simple as buckling their ski boots, long after surgery.  One of the theoretical advantages of resurfacing is that the dislocation risk in extremely low, so there is usually no long term restriction on internal rotation. However, while the muscles and joint capsule are healing, many surgeons put on short term restrictions, often around six weeks, to avoid any chance of dislocation while things are healing and tightening up. You should check with your surgeon to confirm how long he would like the restriction, and when it is safe to start working on internal rotation exercises.

[fenceman]

Although not something that I felt like doing after surgery, I was not instructed to avoid this movement by the Dr. or the PT staff.