A total hip replacement is a major surgical procedure designed to provide relief to the patient by replacing parts of the hip with synthetic material. A total hip replacement may require you to be in bed for up to a week, after which your doctor will prescribe a gradual exercise routine that may include certain exercises to help strengthen not just your hip but the muscles surrounding and supporting it as well.
Knee Bends
Your doctor or physical therapist will likely start out with some simple exercises that can be done from the comfort of your bed. One of these exercises is a knee bend. Lying in your bed with your feet extended and close together, pull your right foot toward you by bending your leg at the knee. Keep your foot flat on the bed as you pull it toward your butt; avoid rolling your knee inward. Your leg should remain perpendicular to the bed throughout the exercise. Slide your foot as far back as you can without pain and then slide back until your leg is flat on the bed again. Repeat with the other leg. Do this exercise five to ten times with each leg as many times a day as your doctor or physical therapist prescribes.
Short Quad Arcs
Your quadriceps are one of the main muscle groups that provides stability to your hips and entire upper body. They are located on the front of your upper leg. To regain and maintain strength in your quads, short quad arcs can also be done from your bed. Begin by placing a rolled-up towel beneath your left knee. Your leg should be slightly bent. Straighten your leg by using your quadriceps muscle to lift your lower leg off the bed until your leg is straight. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds and then lower your leg. Repeat ten to 15 times, switch the towel to under your right knee, and repeat.
Hip Abduction
Regaining range of motion in your hips is one of the most important steps after a total hip replacement. After lying in bed for several days, you will likely feel pain when trying to move your legs in and out. The hip abduction exercise will help restore that range of motion and get you back on your feet more quickly. Lying on the bed, start with your legs spread wide apart, as if you were doing a jumping jack. Use your hands and arms to support yourself by holding onto the bed frame or the headboard. Place a pillow between your legs to prevent your legs from sliding too far inward. Use your inner thigh muscles to slide your legs toward each other until they are about a foot apart. Use your outer thigh muscles to slide them away again until you arrive back at the starting position. Repeat ten to 15 times, stopping if you feel any pain.
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