Total hip replacement is common and one of the more successful joint replacement surgeries performed today. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the United States reported more than 193,000 total hip replacement surgeries were completed in 2009. Exercise is an important component of recovery before and after you have a hip replacement. The rehabilitative process begins shortly after surgery to prevent blood clots, increase circulation, strengthen and encourage movement of the new hip. Cumulative exercises that follow the body's recovery and are performed throughout the day are ideal and allow you to feel more confident as you progress.
Supported Knee Bends
This is a range-of-motion exercise that aids functional capability, decreases stiffness and improves flexibility. Knee bends are key to essential tasks such as walking, climbing stairs and getting in and out of your car.
Lie on a flat surface, and straighten your legs. Bend your knee by sliding the heel toward your glutes. Return to your starting point by straightening the leg and briefly relax before repeating. Be sure to keep your heel on the surface at all times, and do not let your knee turn inward.
Leg Extension and Flexion
Leg extension and flexion both use the quadriceps muscles of the upper thigh. Strong quadriceps are important because they aid stability and help to prevent falls. This is a range-of-motion exercise that also works the hip flexors and knee extensors through the quadriceps.
Use a firm chair in an open space for this exercise. Sit with your feet flat on the floor and your hands on your thighs or at your sides. Keep your foot flexed, straighten your leg so that it is parallel to the floor, and briefly hold. Lower the leg and bend the knee as far as you are able, then briefly hold and relax. You can directly impact the hip flexors if you lift your thigh up off the chair before straightening your leg.
Hip Abduction
Abductors connect the femur to the pelvic bone. They work to stabilize the pelvis regardless of your body weight and contribute to your forward movement.
Lie on a flat surface, and place a rolled towel or pillow between your legs. The towel prevents you from pulling your leg too far inward as you return to your starting point. Slowly slide your leg outward as far as you are able, and then return to your starting point.
Knee Raises
Knee raises also work the quadriceps and directly impact the hip flexors. This particular exercise works the hip without hip rotation and contributes to the overall strength of the quadriceps. Perform this exercise only when you are able to stand with assistance.
Use the back of a chair to hold on to, and stand so that the postoperative hip is free to move. Lift the leg, and bring your knee no higher than your waist. Hold briefly, and return to your starting position.
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