For a posterolateral hip incision, which combination should be avoided during transfers?

For a posterolateral hip incision, which combination should be avoided during transfers?

• A. Hip extension
• B. External rotation
• C. Hip flexion > 90 degrees, adduction past midline, and internal rotation
• D. Hip abduction

Answer: (C)

In a posterolateral hip incision, preventing posterior dislocation during transfers hinges on avoiding a specific combined hip position. Flexing the hip beyond 90 degrees while bringing it into adduction across the midline and internally rotating it places the prosthetic joint at its most unstable point after this approach. This posture stretches the weakened posterior structures and increases the risk of dislocation, so transfers should avoid it. Instead, keep the leg in neutral or extended with gentle abduction and external rotation to maintain stability. The other positions—extension, external rotation, and abduction—are safer for transfers after a posterolateral approach because they don’t place the joint in that high-risk, dislocating combination.

In a posterolateral hip incision, preventing posterior dislocation during transfers hinges on avoiding a specific combined hip position. Flexing the hip beyond 90 degrees while bringing it into adduction across the midline and internally rotating it places the prosthetic joint at its most unstable point after this approach. This posture stretches the weakened posterior structures and increases the risk of dislocation, so transfers should avoid it. Instead, keep the leg in neutral or extended with gentle abduction and external rotation to maintain stability. The other positions—extension, external rotation, and abduction—are safer for transfers after a posterolateral approach because they don’t place the joint in that high-risk, dislocating combination.