Recovering from a hip surgery procedure can be a difficult and painful process that often requires a rehabilitative treatment plan after the procedure. Physical therapy will include strengthening exercises and stretches aimed at helping you regain your full range of motion, or ROM, in your hip joints. Exercises will increase in difficulty throughout your treatment plan as you continue to get stronger and more flexible.
Early Exercises
After your hip surgery, your surgeon and physician will prescribe a physical therapy treatment plan to begin within days after your procedure. This treatment will begin with minor strengthening and flexibility exercises aimed at helping promote proper circulation around your joint and muscles. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, your therapist will also incorporate manual mobilizations to help stretch your muscles and limit the development of scar tissue around your incision site.
Ankle Exercises
Hip replacement exercises incorporated into your treatment plan will include a variety of ankle exercises to help promote further circulation and strengthen the muscles leading up to your hip. These exercises include ankle pumps, which are completed by simply flexing and extending your ankle on your affected leg. Ankle rotational exercises are also helpful during hip rehabilitation, which is completed by rolling your ankle joint to one side and the other.
Prone Stretch
To help increase your ROM within the hip and lower leg, you can include an ankle stretch into your hip rehabilitation plan. While lying on your back, wrap a towel or exercise band around your toes on the affected leg. Next, pull on the towel with your hands gently to promote a stretch across the back of your leg while resisting by pushing your toes against the band or towel. Hold this position for a few brief moments before releasing the hold.
Leg Raises
Another exercise you can use to strengthen your hip joint after surgery is a simple leg raise. As the London Health Sciences Centre explains, begin this exercise while lying on your back with your legs fully extended. Focus on using your leg and hip muscles to slowly lift your leg on your surgically repaired hip up toward the ceiling. Hold your leg roughly three to five inches off the ground and hold for a few seconds. Slowly lower your leg back to starting position after this pause.
