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.

1. Standing single-leg balance exercise: Do not practice this exercise during the immediate phase after hip replacement surgery. Putting too much weight on the surgical hip immediately after the surgery can lead to damage to the prosthetic. Practicing this exercise after 4-6 weeks after surgery can help improve balance in the surgical limb. Seek recommendation from your therapist regarding participating in this exercise. Stand straight against a solid piece of furniture or a countertop, with your feet hip-width apart. Do not tilt on to either side and distribute your weight equally on both legs. Then, taking the support of the countertop with both hands, try supporting your weight only on the surgical limb. Lift the other lower limb off the floor by bending it at the knee or reach out with the other lower limb as far as possible by lifting it off the floor. Hold the position for a duration that your endurance allows. Return to the starting position, by bringing the other lower limb on to the ground and balancing your weight on both legs. After you become stable and ready, repeat the exercise. Try performing 10 repetitions of the exercise. In the initial post-surgical phase it could be difficult to hold the position longer, balancing the entire weight on the surgical limb. Try starting off with 5 seconds and work to progressively increase the duration of holding the position for 30 seconds. As the balance in the surgical lower limb progressively improves, you can slowly improve on the duration of holding the position and the number of repetitions. Have your caregivers or physical therapist available around for needed assistance and to prevent a fall or accident, at least in the immediate post-surgical phase. Do not rely upon your assistive device for support during performance of this exercise, as they could be unstable, offer poor support, and contribute to a fall.
2. Weight shift exercise: Do not practice this exercise during the immediate phase after hip replacement surgery. Putting too much weight on the surgical hip immediately after the surgery can lead to damage to the prosthetic. Practicing this exercise after 4-6 weeks after surgery can help improve balance in the surgical limb. Seek recommendation from your therapist regarding participating in this exercise. Stand straight against a solid piece of furniture or a countertop, with your feet hip-width apart. Do not tilt on to either side and distribute your weight equally on both legs. Lift the other lower limb off the floor and slowly tilt your weight on to the side of surgical limb. Hold the position for a duration that your endurance allows. Return to the starting position, by bringing the other lower limb on to the ground and balancing your weight on both legs equally. After you become stable and ready, repeat the exercise. Try performing 10 repetitions of the exercise. In the initial post-surgical phase it could be difficult to hold the position longer, tilting and balancing the entire weight on the surgical limb. Try starting off with 5 seconds and work to progressively increase the duration of holding the position for 30 seconds. As the balance in the surgical lower limb progressively improves, you can slowly improve on the duration of holding the position and the number of repetitions. Have your caregivers or physical therapist available around for needed assistance and to prevent a fall or accident, at least in the immediate post-surgical phase. Do not rely upon your assistive device for support during performance of this exercise, as they could be unstable, offer poor support, and contribute to a fall.