Best Exercises To Prepare For A Hip Replacement

Hip replacements are becoming more and more common nowadays as people get more active and live longer. In the past, when insurance companies were “more generous” with their covered physical therapy visits, patients are referred for pre-op physical therapy. But as insurance companies cut down on member benefits including physical therapy, this is not the case anymore. Studies have shown that when the muscles surrounding a joint are stronger and when the joint is more mobile before surgery, the outcome is better. So I want to give you an idea of what are the best exercises to prepare for a hip replacement if you are to have one.

Hip replacements are indicated when the joint is severely damaged that conservative management or less invasive procedures are not enough to relieve the pain anymore. Usually these people have a lot of pain and limited mobility in the joint. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The ball is the past connected to the thigh bone, while the socket is connected to the pelvis. Hip replacements can be total hip replacement or partial hip replacement. In total hip replacement, surgeons replace both the ball and socket part of the hip. In partial hip replacement, they only replace the ball part of the hip. The same exercises can be done to prepare yourself for either surgery.

Do the following exercises one to two times a day every day before your surgery. Videos of these exercises can be found on our website RestorePlusNY.com under the Exercises tab. If any of the exercises causes sharp pain or increases the pain, stop and consult your doctor or physical therapist if needed.

Exercises to Prepare for Hip Replacement

1. Heel slide – Lying down, bend one knee and hip by sliding your heel towards your buttock while keeping your heel on the bed. Slide your heel back down to the starting position. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times.
2. Hip abduction – Lying down, slide your heel out to the side as far as you can. Then slide your heel back to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
3. Ankle pumps – Lying down, point your toes up towards you then point them down away from you. Repeat 20 times.
4. Quads set – Lying down, press the back part of your knee onto the bed to tighten the muscles on the front part of the thigh. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times.
5. Hamstring set – Lying down, bend your knee slightly and press your heel onto the bed to tighten the muscle on the back part of the thigh. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times.
6. Gluteal set – Lying down, squeeze your buttocks together to tighten the buttock muscles. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times.
7. Leg extension – Sitting up with feet dangling, slowly straighten your leg and slowly lower it to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
8. Arm chair push up – Sitting in a chair with arms, lift your buttocks up from the chair by pushing down on the arms of the chair and straighten your elbows. Then slowly lower yourself to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
9. Leg curl – In standing holding on a to chair or countertop, bend your knee by lifting your heel up to your buttock. Then lower it to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
10. Standing hip flexion – In standing holding on to a chair or countertop on your side, move your leg to the front and then lower it to the starting position while keeping your knee straight. Repeat 10 times.
11. Standing hip abduction – In standing holding on to a chair or countertop in front of you, move your leg out to the side and then back to the starting position while keeping your knee straight. Repeat 10 times.

Treatment for Hip Replacement

Most patients will undergo physical therapy after the surgery. If this is you, Don’t Worry! We can design a specialized program that has shown great results at helping you recover from your surgery quickly. This program can consist of using different modalities, manual therapy techniques and exercises. Call Restore Plus TODAY for more information or to schedule an appointment! (800) 905-0513.

Restore Plus Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
33-10 Queens Blvd. Suite 301
Long Island City, NY 11101
(800) 905-0513
RestorePlusNY.com