How to Create an Exercise Routine After Hip Replacement Surgery

When you create an exercise routine after your hip replacement surgery, you will be expediting healing and successful recovery. Deciding which kind of routine you will implement is very important. To do this, you will need to work with your physical therapist and doctor to develop a plan that is right for your needs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Set Up an Exercise Plan

1. Talk with your doctor and physical therapist before the surgery to create an exercise routine you should do after your surgery. They will provide a list of approved exercises for your routine.
2. Practice these exercises before the surgery. Strengthen the leg and hip areas as much as possible to speed recovery.
3. Determine when you are ready to begin exercise after your surgery, but don't delay. In some cases, your physical therapist may have you begin exercises the day of the surgery.
4. Work through your exercises with a physical therapist once or twice a week after your surgery, as directed. She can recommend other exercises to add to your list as you recover and can also monitor that you are performing them correctly.

Try Some of These Exercises

5. Lie flat on your back with your legs extended in front of you. Slide your heel towards your body and then extend your leg to the flat position and relax. Repeat this as many times as your physical therapist requests.
6. Sit on a hard backed chair and lift your leg out in front of you. Hold for a moment and then release to the normal relaxed position with your foot flat on the floor.
7. Lie on your back with your legs extended in front of you. Lift your toes toward the sky and then point them downwards.
8. Lie on your back with your legs extended in front of you. Tighten your thigh and press your knee downwards. Hold this for a few moments and then relax and repeat.
9. Place a pillow or towel underneath your knee. Lift your heel so that it is parallel with the surface beneath you. Hold a moment and then relax.

Tips & Warnings

• Performing your exercises will also help to increase circulation in the legs and avoid blood clotting after surgery, which can be deadly.
• Many hip exercises can be performed while laying down, so they should be relatively easy to do. The more you keep at it, the faster you will recover and the stronger you will be.
• Discuss all potential exercises with your physical therapist before trying them. Make sure they will work for you, since every hip surgery can be a little different and may require different advisories.
• If you had the traditional hip replacement surgery rather than the minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, be sure to follow all movement restrictions that your doctor tells you to be aware of. Do not create a 90-degree angle with your body and leg and do not cross your leg in front of your body or you may risk dislocation. If any exercise routine seem to involve these motions be sure to clarify this with your doctor or physical therapist.