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.

Seated hip abduction and adduction:

  1. This exercise strengthens the bottom or hip muscles.
  2. You can sit in the bed or on any firm surface, legs stretched out together in front of you on the bed, with the knee and toes pointing straight up.
  3. Move your exercising hip away from the other leg, with your knee looking straight up.
  4. This movement is called abduction. After abducting the exercising hip to the farthest you possibly can, hold the position for 5 seconds, and bring the hip back to the center and close to the other leg.
  5. This movement bringing the leg back to the center is called adduction. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of abduction and adduction.

Standing hip abduction and adduction:

  1. This exercise strengthens the bottom or hip muscles.
  2. To perform this exercise, you can stand against a solid piece of furniture or a countertop.
  3. Do not rely upon your assistive device for support during performance of this exercise, as they could be unstable and contribute to a fall.
  4. Then, taking the support of the countertop with both hands, move your exercising hip away from the other leg. This movement is called abduction.
  5. After abducting the exercising hip to the farthest you possibly can, hold the position for 5 seconds, and bring the hip back to the center and close to the other leg.
  6. This movement bringing the leg back to the center is called adduction.
  7. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of abduction and adduction.