Last reviewed: September 29, 2026

Many people can, though not everyone, and not in the first weeks.

Squatting often gets easier. In one study, about twice as many people could squat easily after a hip replacement as before it. Those who never squatted mostly avoided it for fear of dislocating the hip. When hips were imaged during a squat, the implant parts did not touch. Sitting on the floor is harder. In a study of people whose hip was replaced through the back of the hip, about one in five could sit on the floor six months later, most often those who could do it before surgery.

Timing matters. In a large Danish study, dislocations in the first month mostly happened while lying or sitting, and those in the second and third months mostly while squatting or bending. No study has followed people doing these positions for years.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a raised toilet seat and a high chair help avoid deep bending early on, and the legs should not be crossed for at least six to eight weeks. Studies disagree on whether such rules matter. Where raised seats and other precautions were dropped, dislocations did not increase, and a review rated the evidence for such equipment as very low quality. But the Danish study found fewer dislocations in hospitals that kept activity restrictions.

A fused lower back makes dislocation more likely, and so does a redo operation.

In general:

  • Ask your surgeon when deep positions are allowed for your hip, and whether your implant or approach changes that.
  • A fused lower back or a redo operation is a reason to ask before trying deep positions.
  • A hip that suddenly gives way with severe pain needs to be seen right away.

Drafted with AI assistance from published sources, reviewed and edited by Babak Sheikh, MD.

Sources:

  • Harada S, et al. Squatting After Total Hip Arthroplasty: Patient-Reported Outcomes and In Vivo Three-Dimensional Kinematic Study. J Arthroplasty. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2021.12.028
  • Nawatthakul A, et al. The Ability and Factors Related With Floor Sitting After Total Hip Arthroplasty With a Posterolateral Approach. Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2022. https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.37072
  • Jørgensen CC, et al. Hip Dislocations After 2,734 Elective Unilateral Fast-Track Total Hip Arthroplasties: Incidence, Circumstances and Predisposing Factors. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-014-2051-3
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Activities After Hip Replacement. OrthoInfo. https://www.orthoinfo.org/recovery/activities-after-hip-replacement/
  • Peak EL, et al. The Role of Patient Restrictions in Reducing the Prevalence of Early Dislocation Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Prospective Study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.C.01513
  • Crompton J, et al. Do Hip Precautions After Posterior-Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty Affect Dislocation Rates? A Systematic Review of 7 Studies With 6,900 Patients. Acta Orthop. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2020.1795598
  • Smith TO, et al. Assistive Devices, Hip Precautions, Environmental Modifications and Training to Prevent Dislocation and Improve Function After Hip Arthroplasty. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010815.pub2
  • Soler F, et al. Impact of Prior Spinal Fusion Surgery on Complications and Functional Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Eur Spine J. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-024-08133-9
  • Huppert A, et al. Previous Lumbar Spine Fusion Increases the Risk of Dislocation Following Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients With Hip-Spine Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07823-1

This is general information about what published research shows. It is not medical advice and it is not about your situation. Reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship with me. I am a retired orthopedic surgeon and I do not see patients. Talk with your own doctor before changing anything about your care. If something feels suddenly or seriously wrong, get medical care promptly rather than waiting.

This page is provided as is. I make no guarantee that it is accurate, complete or current, and medical evidence changes. Use of it is at your own risk.

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