Injuries or degenerative joint disorders of the hip can be treated effectively via the use of physical therapy. Therapy is prescribed by your orthopaedic doctor to help you regain lost strength in your muscles as well as increase the range of motion, or ROM, in your hip joint through stretching and manual exercises. There are many exercise movements incorporated into physical therapy of the hip, many of which use little or no added weight resistance.
Hip Flexion
According to the OrthoSpecialty.com website, one type of exercise in hip physical therapy is hip flexion. While standing with your arms at your side and head forward, focus on using your upper thigh muscles to bend your leg at your hip and begin marching in place. If needed, support yourself with a chair or handrailing in your home or therapy office. Repeat this motion for both legs numerous times for best benefit.
Hip Abduction
While lying on your back with your arms to your side and legs fully extended, begin to slide the leg of your affected hip joint to the side of your body in a slow, controlled motion. This movement -- moving your leg away from your body's midline -- is called "abduction", according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Continue moving your leg to the side of your body until you feel a strong yet comfortable stretch. Hold this position for a few moments before slowly moving your leg back to your center.
Straight Leg Raise
While still lying on your back with your arms to the side and legs extended fully, lift your leg on your injured hip side up toward the ceiling in a controlled motion. Focus on using your upper thigh and buttocks muscles to lift this leg in a slow motion. Continue raising your leg until you reach a height of roughly one foot, or as high as comfort will allow. Hold this position for a few moments before lowering your leg back down to starting position. Repeat with your other leg.
Ball Squeeze
Place a ball between your knees while still lying flat on your back with arms and legs extended naturally. The ball should be large enough to leave your knees roughly shoulder-width apart from one another. Next, use your inner groin and thigh muscles to push both knees against the ball and hold for three seconds. Release the pressure of your legs after this brief hold, and then repeat.
