Hip resurfacing is a procedure in which as much original bone as possible is saved from your damaged hip. MayoClinic.com explains that the procedure reshapes the ball and socket of your joint and enhances them with prosthetic metal parts to keep your hip functional. As an alternative to a total hip replacement, resurfacing doesn't remove your hip bone, but is still major surgery that requires rest and physical therapy to promote healing. Your doctor will let you know when to begin certain kinds of exercises post-surgery.
Aerobic Exercise
Gentle aerobic exercises like walking and riding a stationary bike are important components of your rehabilitation process after a hip resurfacing procedure. "Orthopaedics New England" stresses that simple walking is the best type of exercise for your healing hip, because it not only increases your range of motion and reduces stiffness of the joint, but promotes circulation that can head off blood clots, a risk of surgery. Walk very short distances to begin with, but increase both your frequency and distance as you begin to feel better.
Bike riding is another good aerobic exercise after hip resurfacing. UC-San Diego Health System explains that the riding can increase your range of motion, but suggests you take it easy at first. Keep your seat high to avoid overextending your affected hip and leg, and pedal only with your healthy leg, allowing your healing hip to trail along on the pedal without using force.
Hamstring and Quadricep Stretches
As part of your recovery process, you'll be stretching not only your hip muscles, but your hamstrings and quadriceps as well. Both of these muscle groups are located in your upper leg. Hamstring and quad exercises can be done from a reclining position, and for that reason, you will most likely be encouraged to start exercising soon after surgery.
Lie on your back, keeping your affected leg straight at the knee and flat on the bed. Bend your other knee so that the sole of your foot is flat on the bed. Gently push with the back of the knee of your involved leg--the one that's flat on the bed--further into the mattress. You'll feel your front thigh muscles, the quadriceps, tighten as you perform this exercise.
Strengthen your hamstrings after hip resurfacing as well. Bend your affected knee and slowly slide the sole of your foot toward your body until your heel is almost touching your buttocks. Hold the position for five seconds and release.
Ankle Rotations
Ankle rotations are a stretch that you can do in the early stages after surgery; though your hip does not actually move when you perform this exercise, the stretching is beneficial to the healing process. UC-San Diego Health System reminds patients to keep their knees facing the ceiling at all times during this exercise.
Lie on your back on the bed with your leg straight out in front of you and your toes pointing up. Rotate your ankle in a circle, moving clock-wise, while keeping the rest of your leg still. After 10 repetitions, switch directions and perform circles going counter-clockwise.
Sitting Hip Exercises
UC San Diego places sitting hip exercises in the middle of the spectrum when classifying hip resurfacing exercises as easy or difficult. Your physical therapist or doctor may check your progress and pain level before prescribing sitting hip exercises.
Sit in a straight-backed chair with your feet flat on the ground. Place a folded pillow or a ball--a basketball or another of similar size--between your knees.Tense up your thigh muscles and squeeze the ball with your knees. Relax after holding for five seconds.
Standing Hip Extensions
Once you are home and recovering from your procedure, you'll be able to incorporate more difficult exercises into your rehab routine. Standing hip extensions require a solid piece of furniture like a bed, couch or armchair that gives you support without the risk of toppling over.
Stand up straight, holding on a support in front of or beside you. Keeping your leg straight, extend it backwards, as if you were bringing your leg back to kick a ball. Hold for a count of three and then return your leg to the original position. You may feel a pull, but should not feel pain; do not extend your leg as far back if it hurts to do so.
Perform a variation of this stretch by switching directions and bringing your leg out straight in front of you with your toes pointing up. Try not to bend at the waist.
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