Hip replacement surgery is often performed to help treat patients suffering from osteoporosis or osteoarthritis who are experiencing bone breaks and fractures, pain or the loss of mobility in their joints. The process replaces the damaged joint with a metal or plastic joint. Following this surgery doctors often prescribe rehabilitative exercises to help restore mobility and range of motion. Only perform these exercises at the direction of your doctor.
Ankle Pumps
The ankle pump is often one of the first exercises prescribed following an advanced hip replacement surgery. It is performed usually lying in bed, by pushing your foot up and down while keeping your knee and hip joint immobile. Doctors often recommend that you perform this exercise several times throughout the day to help your body recover from hip replacement surgery.
Isometric Knee Press
If your doctor wants you to keep your hip as immobile as possible immediately following surgery he may prescribe isometric knee exercises -- because they can be used to begin strengthening your leg while keeping your hip still. The knee press is performed by tightening your thigh muscles while lying down as if you were trying to press the back of your knee into the bed. Hold this contraction for five to 10 seconds and then release. Doctors at the Los Angeles County Hip and Knee Institute recommend you perform five repetitions of this exercise as directed by your doctor.
Heel Slides
When your doctor thinks you are ready to begin moving your hip she may prescribe heel sliding exercises to help you regain motion in your hip. Begin by lying down on your back with both legs straight. Then bend the knee of your recently-repaired leg and slide your heel toward your buttocks. Be sure that you keep your heel supported by the bed throughout this exercise. When you have bent your knee as much as you can without serious pain, return to the start position by sliding your heel back to the start point as you straighten your leg.
Straight Leg Abduction
Lie down in bed with both feet together and your legs straight. Keep your leg straight and use the muscles of your outer hip and thigh to slide your leg away from your body. Go as far as you can without serious pain and then return to the start position. Doctors at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend that you perform 10 repetitions three or four times daily.
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