Physical activity after hip replacement is an integral part of your post-operative recovery. A total hip replacement surgeon in Mumbai usually recommends immediate physical therapy. It’s combined with some basic exercises you can try at home to speed up the healing of the affected hip joint and restore your normal range of motion quickly.
We’ve listed a few exercises for total hip replacement patients. Before starting, it’s advisable to consult your surgeon and get their approval.
9 Best Exercises for Total Hip Replacement Patients
Early-Stage Recovery Exercises
You are advised to start early-stage exercises shortly after surgery. Physical movement after hip replacement will prevent blood clot formation. In addition to improving blood circulation to the affected joint, these exercises can help you heal faster.
- Ankle Pumps: Move your foot up and down such that your toes face your head for a few seconds and then point downward. Practice it for 5-10 minutes every few hours.
- Quadriceps Sets: Lie on your back with a pillow under your knee for support. Tighten your thighs, keeping your knee straight. Maintain the contraction for 10-15 seconds and then release.
- Gluteal Sets: Lie straight on your back with the toes pointing upward. Squeeze or tighten the buttocks muscles without lifting your hips. Maintain the position for 5 seconds and release. Repeat 10-15 times.
Intermediate Recovery Exercises
At this stage, you will feel more comfortable trying new exercises. Between the 4th and 8th week of your recovery, try these:
- Standing Hip Abduction: Use a solid surface for support. Stand straight, hold the surface, and slowly lift your knee to the side. Don’t bend your knee. Do this 15-20 times a day.
- Mini Squats: Stand straight and bend your knees slightly, just like you bend when sitting in a chair. Rise back up slowly. Repeat this exercise for 10-15 times.
- Heel Raises: Use a chair for support. Stand straight, hold the back of the chair, and lift your heel up while keeping the toes on the floor. Hold this position for 5 seconds.
Advanced Recovery Exercises
Once you are past the 8th-week mark, you can start exercises that require more strength and are for patients who want to restore their mobility.
- Step-ups: Keep a box or an elevated object in front of you. Lift your leg and step onto the elevated surface, then step down. Repeat it until you feel fatigued.
- Hip Flexor Stretches: Put one knee on the floor and the other foot in front. Move your body forward until you feel a stretch in the hip joint.
- Single-leg Balance: Stand on one leg (the one with the operated hip) using a support.
Some Tips for Safe Exercising
While physical activity is often recommended after hip replacement, you should keep it slow. Here are some key tips to remember when starting exercises:
- Listen to your body. If you feel tired, stop immediately.
- Follow-up with a physical therapist at an orthopedic hospital in Mumbai
- Resume your activities gradually
These exercises will improve blood circulation in your thighs and hip joints, promoting faster and easier recovery.
