What is the primary purpose of placing an abduction pillow on a client after hip arthroplasty?

The primary purpose of placing an abduction pillow on a client after hip arthroplasty is to prevent dislocation of the hip during position changes. After a hip replacement surgery, there is a risk of dislocating the new joint due to improper positioning or excessive movement. The abduction pillow helps to maintain the hip in a stable position, typically by keeping the leg positioned away from the midline of the body. This positioning reduces the stress on the hip joint and helps ensure that the new joint components remain within their proper alignment as the patient begins to mobilize.

This is particularly important during early postoperative recovery when the tissues around the hip are healing and may not yet be strong enough to support normal movement. The abduction pillow serves as a physical reminder and barrier to encourage safe movement patterns and to maintain the integrity of the surgical repair.