Exercises After a Hip Operation

Exercises After a Hip Operation
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Exercises after a hip operation are designed to loosen up your hip joints as well as strengthen the muscles that surround your hip. Many hip operations pertain to a total hip arthroplasty where a damaged hip joint is replaced with materials that will return the joint to its original capabilities. These procedures are intense surgeries that take months of rehab and exercise to recover from.

Hip Flexion Exercise

This exercise is designed to improve your range of motion as well as your overall leg strength post surgery. Start by lying down on a bed or other even surface. From this position, extend your legs out to the end of the bed with your hands flat at your sides. Slide your operated leg back towards your chest as far as it will go without any pain. Hold this position for several seconds before returning to an extended position. Repeat this exercise 20 times before resting.

Knee Extension Exercise

This knee extension exercise is designed to stretch out your lower leg muscles and strengthen your hamstrings and quads. Start by lying flat on your back with your legs extended out and your back flat on a bed or the floor. Place a rolled towel directly under both of your knees, forcing your knees to bend up slightly. From here, tighten your abdominal muscles and lift your leg up. Bring it up to a 45-degree angle and hold it for five seconds. Release the leg and repeat 15 times before breaking.

Buttock Tucks

This buttocks exercise will strengthen your buttock muscles as well as your lower leg and back muscles. Start the exercise by lying on the floor with your back flat and your knees bent up at a 45-degree angle with the floor. While maintaining this position, squeeze your buttock muscles and hold this position for a count of five seconds. Release and repeat 20 times before resting. To increase the difficulty of this exercise, hold the position for an extended period of time.

Standing Leg Raises

These standing leg raises will help strengthen your legs as well as improve your overall balance. Start by standing straight up with your knees slightly bent. From this position, lift your injured leg up off the floor and away from your body. Make sure that your abdominal muscles are tight and that your back is straight throughout the exercise. Bring the leg back and repeat 25 times before resting.

References

Article reviewed by BudK Last updated on: Dec 9, 2010

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