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. Seated knee extension: This exercise strengthens the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh, which help with straightening the hip, which is important for establishing the range of motion in the hip. You can sit in the chair with legs relaxed and stretched out in front of you and toes pointing straight forward. To perform this exercise, draw a foot stool or an ottoman closer and stretch the lower portion of leg to be exercised onto the foot stool or ottoman with the knee hanging between your chair and foot stool. Make sure the foot stool or ottoman is about the same height as the seat of your chair. Try reaching out to your toes to the extent possible and stretch the hamstring muscle on the back of your thigh. Once the leg is as straight as it can be, hold the leg in position for a count of 5, and relax by bending the knee. If you start experiencing some tension in the hamstring muscle any time during the exercise and is hurting, you can release the tension by gently bending the knee. You can have a 5 pounds cuff weights placed on the knee to help the weight straighten the knee and stretch the hamstring further. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of seated knee extension exercises.
2. Seated hip abduction and adduction: This exercise strengthens the bottom or hip muscles. 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. Move your exercising hip away from the other leg, with your knee looking straight up. 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. This movement bringing the leg back to the center is called adduction. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of abduction and adduction.