Which item helps prevent hip rotation after hip fracture surgery?

Which item helps prevent hip rotation after hip fracture surgery?

• A. Abduction pillow
• B. Pillow under the knee
• C. Head-of-bed elevated 90 degrees
• D. Rigid thigh brace

Answer: (A)

Preventing hip rotation after hip fracture surgery hinges on keeping the leg in proper alignment, specifically in abduction, to stop inward rotation or crossing of the leg that can pull on the surgical site. An abduction pillow maintains the leg in a neutral, abducted position, which directly prevents internal rotation and adduction of the operated hip, supporting healing and reducing dislocation risk. The other choices don’t enforce this needed alignment: a pillow under the knee cushions the leg but doesn’t reliably prevent rotation at the hip; elevating the head of the bed to 90 degrees increases hip flexion and can place stress on the repair or raise dislocation risk; a rigid thigh brace might limit movement but isn’t guaranteed to keep the hip abducted unless specifically designed for that position. Maintaining abduction with an abduction pillow is the best way to prevent hip rotation after surgery.

Preventing hip rotation after hip fracture surgery hinges on keeping the leg in proper alignment, specifically in abduction, to stop inward rotation or crossing of the leg that can pull on the surgical site. An abduction pillow maintains the leg in a neutral, abducted position, which directly prevents internal rotation and adduction of the operated hip, supporting healing and reducing dislocation risk. The other choices don’t enforce this needed alignment: a pillow under the knee cushions the leg but doesn’t reliably prevent rotation at the hip; elevating the head of the bed to 90 degrees increases hip flexion and can place stress on the repair or raise dislocation risk; a rigid thigh brace might limit movement but isn’t guaranteed to keep the hip abducted unless specifically designed for that position. Maintaining abduction with an abduction pillow is the best way to prevent hip rotation after surgery.