Exercises Before & After Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement surgeries have grown in the United States from 138,700 in 2000 to 310,800 in 2010. The growing elderly population has contributed to the rise in these numbers where 2.3% of adults 50 years and older have had a hip replaced. By 80 years of age, 6% of this population will have had a hip replaced.

Improvements in joint replacement surgery has reduced the risk as well as shortened the recovery time resulting in improved lifestyle of the patient. A significant component to regaining mobility after surgery includes physical therapy.

Prior to surgery, you can start doing hip exercises to build strength to help your recovery. Possibly more importantly, doing exercises prior to surgery establish the practice and routine of doing your exercises that you will need to continue post-surgery. This is particularly important if your hip pain has prevented you from maintaining an active lifestyle.

Fortunately, hip exercises pre- and post-surgery are very similar.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has provided a “Total Hip Replacement Exercise Guide” which has many of the same exercises recommended by Allina Health in their “Before Surgery Exercise Program”. You can find these exercises within the PT-Helper mobile app.

Reminder: Please consult your physician or physical therapist before engaging in any physical activity and stop if you experience pain or discomfort.

Some of these recommended exercises can be found below:

• Ankle Pumps - While sitting or lying down, pump your ankles up and down.

 

• Quad Sets - Lie on your back with one knee bent and the other leg straight. Tighten your thigh muscle on the straight leg and push the back of your knee against the ground. Hold. Relax.

• Short Arc Quads - Lie on your back with one leg over the bolster and the knee bent. Tighten your muscles on the top of your thigh and straighten your knee. Hold. Slowly lower to starting position while keeping the bottom of the knee resting on the bolster.

• Straight Leg Raises - Lie on your back with one leg bent and the other leg straight. Tighten the front of your thigh of the straight leg. Keeping the leg straight, raise the leg off the floor or bed no higher than 45 degrees. Keep thigh muscle engaged on the way down too!

• Knee Extension (sitting) – While sitting, raise your leg by straightening your knee fully while contracting your quad. Slowly lower your leg. Weights may be placed around your ankle.

• Hip Abduction - Standing straight, keep both thighs tight. Kick out to the side keeping toes straight ahead and both legs straight, then return to starting point.

Reminder: Please consult your physician before engaging in any physical activity and stop if you experience pain or discomfort.

Start your Free 30-day Trial of the PT-Helper CONNECT service for physical therapists and other wellness professional, to prescribe Home Exercise Programs.

Download the PT-Helper mobile app for patients and exercise enthusiasts to create your exercise program.