Hip precautions following hemiarthroplasty: A UK study of occupational therapists

Aims: One intervention that occupational therapists may undertake with patients following hip fracture is the promotion of hip precautions. These hip precautions focus on advising patients to avoid certain movements and/or the provision of aids to independence, for up to 12 weeks post surgery. A systematic search of published literature identified limited evidence on which to base practice in this field. A national survey was therefore undertaken to establish whether hip precautions are used uniformly throughout the United Kingdom. Methods: This study aimed to capture occupational therapy current practice in hip precautions following hemiarthroplasty surgery. Questionnaires were sent to members of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - Trauma and Orthopaedics, and to therapists who responded to an article in Occupational Therapy News. A total of 198 questionnaires were distributed. Findings: 100 questionnaires were returned. The majority of occupational therapists who responded encouraged their patients to adhere to hip precautions post surgery, however, there was concern at the lack of robust evidence to support practice. A small number of therapists who did not encourage their patients to adhere to hip precautions reported no detrimental consequences. Conclusions: This study discusses concern that focusing on hip precautions following hemiarthroplasty surgery may unnecessarily impair function, and highlights the need for further research to investigate whether post surgery hip precautions are necessary.