Patient/caregiver was instructed upon exercises to help prepare for hip joint replacement surgery as follows:

  1. Pain in the joint can be a deterrent for participation in the exercise schedule. Taking a pain medication 30 minutes before the exercise schedule can help with better pain control and improved compliance with therapy.
  2. Placing an ice pack on the hip joint for 30 minutes before and after the therapy session can add to control of pain and swelling in the joint.
  3. These sets of exercises to strengthen the hip are to be performed 3 – 4 times every day. Fix scheduled time slots during your day to perform your hip exercises.
  4. Individuals strengthening their muscles around the hip joint before surgery can have an easier and faster recovery from the hip replacement surgery.
  5. Based on the condition of the hip and other coexisting factors, limitations could be recommended on performance of some exercises in some individuals. Check with your physician and therapist for any limitations recommended before performing these exercises.

Heel slide exercises:

  1. This exercise strengthens the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh and helps with straightening the hip, which is important for establishing the range of motion in the hip.
  2. You can sit in the bed or on any firm surface, legs stretched out in front of you on the bed, with the knee and toes pointing straight up.
  3. To perform this exercise, draw your leg against the surface of the bed closer to your hip, the goal being getting the heel of the leg as close as possible to the hip.
  4. This helps with bending the knee and establishing range of motion in the knee.
  5. Due to pain in the hip joint, some individuals might find it difficult to bend the limb and draw the heel closer.
  6. In such cases, it might help to use a stretch strap under the thigh, hold the strap tight with the hands, and support the drawing of leg closer.
  7. Even if you are using a stretch strap, the maximum work should be done by the leg to derive the intended result.
  8. Once the heel is closest to the hip, hold it for a count of 5, and relax by stretching the leg out.
  9. Then you can repeat the task by bringing the heel closer to hip, holding it for a count of 5, and then relaxing by stretching the leg out.
  10. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of heel slide exercises.

Gluteal sets:

  1. This exercise strengthens the bottom or hip muscles.
  2. You can sit in the bed or on any firm surface, legs stretched out in front of you on the bed, with the knee and toes pointing straight up.
  3. This exercise involves tightening of the bottom muscles together, holding the contraction for a count of 5, and relaxing the tightening.
  4. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of gluteal tightening.