A scoping review on the recommendations of hip precautions after posterior total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that removing post-total hip arthroplasty precautions may not increase dislocation risk but can improve functionality and reduce costs. Unclear guidance on individual precautions necessitates clearer recommendations based on current clinical evidence. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library until May 2024 was conducted using PRISMA extension guidelines for scoping reviews. Specific terms related to total hip arthroplasty, dislocation, and hip precautions were searched. Two reviewers independently screened the title and abstract for eligibility, and one reviewer reviewed the full texts—the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence assessed publication quality. Upon evaluation of individual hip precaution modalities, most studies indicate that many hip precautions can be omitted without compromising dislocation risk. Specific recommendations for each precaution were based on at least one piece of level 2 evidence. Limited evidence exists on the use of dressing aids and on resuming sexual activities postoperation.