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.

Straight leg raise exercises:

  1. This exercise strengthens quadriceps muscle, the big muscle on the front of the thigh.
  2. This muscle helps with flexing or bending the hip during walking, running, standing to sitting posture, climbing stairs, jumping, and squatting.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Raise your leg straight, without any bending of the knee, for up to 10 inches from the surface you are laying on.
  6. Hold your leg in the elevated position for a count of 5 seconds and then bring the leg down slowly on to the surface.
  7. 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.
  8. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of straight leg raise exercises.

Long arc quad exercises:

  1. 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.
  2. You can sit on the edge of a bed or on any firm surface, with legs dangling down and the knees bent.
  3. In this position, lift the lower leg up and straighten the knee.
  4. Once the knee is straight, hold the limb in the same position for a count of 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, you can bend the knee and relax for 5 seconds. Then you can repeat the task by lifting the lower leg up, straightening the knee, holding the limb in position for a count of 5 seconds, and then relaxing by bending the knee for 5 seconds.
  5. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of long arc quad exercises.