Patient/caregiver was instructed upon exercises to help after hip replacement surgery as follows:
Pain in the surgical joint can be a deterrent for participation in the therapy session. Taking a pain medication 30 minutes before the exercise schedule can help with better pain control and improved compliance with therapy.
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.
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.
Based on the condition of the surgical 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.
- Straight leg raise exercises: This exercise strengthens quadriceps muscle, the big muscle on the front of the thigh. This muscle helps with flexing or bending the hip during walking, running, standing to sitting posture, climbing stairs, jumping, and squatting. You can lay on your back in the bed or on any firm surface. You can have a pillow or two under the head for your comfort. Fold the opposite leg to stabilize and support your back, while you work on the leg being exercised. Keep your knee straight by tightening the quadriceps muscle, the big muscle on the front of the thigh. Raise your leg straight, without any bending of the knee, for up to 10 inches from the surface you are laying on. Hold your leg in the elevated position for a count of 5 seconds and then bring the leg down slowly on to the surface. You can relax the muscle for 5 seconds. Then you can repeat the task by tightening the quadriceps muscle, lifting the leg up straight without any bending of the knee for up to 10 inches, holding the limb in the raised position for a count of 5 seconds, bringing the leg down slowly on to the surface, and relaxing the muscle for 5 seconds. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of straight leg raise exercises.
- Armchair pushup exercises: After having a hip replacement surgery, individuals will be recommended crutch or walker use. Use of crutch or walker needs upper body strength to offload weight from the bad hip on to the assistive device. Also, the patients need upper body strength to help themselves get in and out of bed and lifting themselves up from the toilet. Practicing armchair pushups strengthen your upper body and help prepare yourself for the hip replacement surgery. Chairs with too low seats can be hard on the hips and aggravate the pain. Make sure the seat of the chair is a little high up, to help an easy lift. The seat of the chair must be at least 2 inches higher than the back of the hip. You can use some firm blankets to elevate the chair seat to the desired level. To perform this exercise, sit in the chair, slide to edge of the chair, lean forward, and slowly lift your bottom up from the chair by pushing against the armrests. Upon reaching the maximum lift your arms can push for, slowly return to the seated position using your arms against the armrests as control. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of armchair pushup exercises.
