Abstract

In this prospective nation-wide web based survey we describe the current practice regarding patient restrictions following total hip arthroplasty. A web-based survey involving 20 items was developed and tested prior to administration. The questionnaire included gen-eral information, type of restrictions, specification and duration of restrictions. The target population consisted of all or-thopaedic surgeons registered with the Dutch Orthopaedic Association working at one of the 94 orthopaedic departments in the Netherlands. The response rate of the orthopaedic departments was 78% (n=74). The majority of orthopaedic departments use patient restrictions following THA. Restrictions were used with different rates per type of surgical approach: anterior (69%), an-terolateral (100%), straight lateral (94%) and posterolateral (93%). The duration of these restrictions is generally six weeks. Patient restrictions following THA are current practice, regardless of the surgical approach.