5 Simple Exercises You Can Do After a Hip Replacement

A hip replacement can be extremely helpful for people who’ve suffered from chronic hip pain or arthritis. In the immediate postoperative period, it might be difficult for you to perform your regular tasks since you will be going through recovery. However, you must engage in physical therapy when possible, to strengthen the joints, increase flexibility, and improve your range of motion. 

Before you engage in the following exercises, make sure to consult your physical therapist or healthcare provider to ensure a safe recovery.

Ankle Pumps

Gently point your ankle and pull it back by pumping your foot up and down slowly. Repeat ten times for each leg. You can repeat this exercise throughout the day.

Ankle pumps help improve the circulation of blood in the body, which can reduce the chances of swelling and blood clots.

Ankle Rotations

Slowly roll your ankle inwards towards your other foot and then outwards. Repeat five times for one set. You can do this exercise about three to four times a day.

Ankle rotations will help the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot become stronger and more flexible, which will help it provide support for the rest of your body.

Quadricep Squeezes

This exercise must be done lying down on your back (preferably on a soft surface like a bed) with your legs straight. Tighten the quadriceps muscle at the front of your thigh by pushing your knee down and holding it for five seconds before releasing it. Do not hold your breath while performing the exercise. Repeat ten times for one set and do two sets a day.

This exercise is a good way to strengthen the quadriceps muscles that support the hip joints without putting any pressure on the hips.

Heel Slides

Like quadricep squeezes, this exercise can be done lying on your back on a bed with your legs extended. Bend one knee and slide the foot along the bed while keeping your other leg straight. Hold for ten seconds. Repeat this exercise ten times twice a day.

Heel slides work the quadriceps as well as the hamstring muscles, which help with flexibility and improving range of motion.

Hip Abductions

To perform a reclined hip abduction, lie on your back with your legs extended. While keeping the leg straight with toes pointed upwards, slide the leg to the side as far as you can without experiencing any pain or discomfort. Then move the leg back to the center. Make sure not to move the leg past the center, as angling the leg inwards can potentially dislocate the hip. Keep the non-moving leg straight at all times.

Repeat this exercise ten times, three to four times a day. When your strength and range of motion are better, you can perform this exercise standing up, with your arms braced against the back of a chair. Doing this exercise regularly can help encourage a normal walking gait by stabilizing the pelvis.

If you or a loved one is suffering from hip pain, reach out to the practice of Matthew D. Barber, M.D. Our team strives to help people live a life without pain, so call us at (251) 410-3600 or contact us online today.

While Dr. Barber focuses exclusively on the management of knee and hip problems with a focus on joint replacement procedures, he is proud to be a source of information for patients. He also has several specialist partners at ALABAMA ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC who are available to treat any orthopedic condition.