A Guide to Total Hip Replacement Recovery Exercises

A Guide to Total Hip Replacement Recovery Exercises

The rehabilitation process after hip replacement surgery occurs early in the post operative period. The recovery process is long and tedious, and lasts from three to six months. Early therapeutic exercises help you regain and improve strength around the operative hip. Every patient undergoing hip replacement surgery wants to know when they will be able to return to normal life. Recovery time is a common question posed to specialists and non-specialists alike.

Physical therapy is very important, and most of the exercises can be done at home. Therapy will also help you learn to walk on your new joint. You should consult your physical therapist as soon as possible after the hip replacement surgery to develop an individualized exercise program to help you recover faster.

A physical therapist may recommend you to exercise 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day for your early recovery. Some of the suggested exercises are listed below:

1. Ankle Pumps: Gradually push your foot up and down. Repeat this every 5-10 minutes. This exercise can be started immediately after surgery and continue until you are fully recovered.
2. Bed-Supported Knee Bends:  Slide your heel toward your buttocks, bending your knee and keeping your heel on the bed. Repeat 10 times, 3 to 4 times a day.
3. Straight Leg Raises: These help strengthen the hip joint. Laying on your back on a flat surface, bend the knee of the uninvolved leg to a 90-degree angle and keep your foot flat on the surface. Keep your involved leg straight without the knee bent. Slowly lift the involved leg six inches off the surface & hold for five seconds. Slowly lower your leg to the floor. Repeat this 10 more times.
4. Standing Hip Abduction: Be sure that your hip, knee and foot are pointing straight forward, and keep your body straight. With your knee straight, lift your leg out to the slide. Slowly lower your leg so your foot is back on the floor. Repeat 10 times, 3 to 4 times a day.
5. Abduction Exercise: Slide your leg out to the side as far as you can and then back. Repeat 10 times, 3 to 4 times a day.
6. Walking and Early Activity: Soon after the surgery you will be able to walk short distances and perform light daily activities. This early activity started in the hospital will help your hip muscles regain strength and movement.
7. Walking with a Walker, Cane or Crutch: A walker is often used for the first several weeks to help your balance and to avoid falls. You can use a cane or single crutch when you become capable enough to balance and stand properly without your walker.

There are more exercises for total hip replacement recovery including ankle rotations, buttock contractions, standing exercises, standing hip extensions and stair climbing and descending to help you increase your hip mobility.

Such regular exercises to restore your normal hip motion and a gradual return to daily activities are very important to your recovery & well being.

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical care or medical advice and is not a replacement for medical care given by your physicians or trained medical personnel.