A hip replacement is a surgical procedure to remove your damaged ball-and-socket joint and replace it with a metal or plastic joint. This operation often requires rehabilitative therapy to help restore strength and stability to your joint. Exercises help restore circulation to your legs and feet and are often prescribed immediately after surgery to help get you moving. Be sure to follow your doctor's advice to the letter, and only do exercises that are prescribed specifically for you.
Ankle Pumps
Lie down on your back with your feet slightly apart and your toes pointing toward the ceiling. Use only the muscles of your leg to begin moving your foot up and down in a motion similar to tapping your toes. Try to perform this exercise several times a day until your muscles are too tired to continue without rest. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, this exercise should be performed almost immediately after surgery and continued until you have completely recovered from your surgery.
Quad Sets
Lie down on your back with your leg straight and your toes pointing toward the ceiling. Place a rolled-up towel under your knee, and keep your leg as straight as possible. Tighten the large muscles on the front of the thigh of your affected leg, and try to press the back of your knee down into the towel. Hold this contraction for several seconds and relax. Repeat 10 times. Perform three to four sets of this exercise daily.
Bed-Supported Knee Bends
This exercise is sometimes referred to as the heel slide. It is often prescribed immediately after surgery to get the blood circulating in your leg and help restore range of motion to your hip and knee joints. Lie down on your back with your affected knee straight and your heel resting on your bed. Begin bending your knee while keeping your heel on the bed. Bend your knee as far as you can while sliding your heel toward your buttocks. Try to touch your heel to your butt, but stop if you experience serious pain. Repeat according to your doctor's instructions.
Straight Leg Raises
Lie down on your back with your knee straight and your toes pointing toward the ceiling. Contract the muscles of your thigh, and lift your leg off the bed while keeping your toes pointing toward the ceiling and your knee straight. Try to lift your leg several inches off the bed, and hold this position for several seconds. Use a slow and controlled motion to return to the resting position. Repeat until you can't perform another repetition.
Member Comments