Following a hip replacement or any other kind of hip surgery, physical rehabilitation exercises are vitally important to ensure a complete recovery, report doctors at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A rehabilitation exercise plan typically is devised with the surgeon and the physical therapist and should start within hours of the procedure.
Early Flexing
Many doctors instruct their patients to begin with simple ankle flexes and rotations when the patient is still in the recovery room. The earlier the exercises begin, the quicker the recovery will be. Additionally, early postoperative movements will help to reduce pain and inflammation. While lying on your back, push your toes forward and backward. The movement will tug on the muscles attached to the new hip and will help them from becoming atrophied. Slide the foot on your surgical side in towards the other foot and slowly back again.
Recumbent Exercises
Within a day or two of the surgery, you should start doing exercises in bed to continue with your rehabilitation. Continue with the ankle flexing and rotating for five to 10 minutes, three or four times a day. Add knee bends that you can do while lying on your back and propped up on a pillow. Slide your foot up towards your buttocks and hold it there for a count of five and then slide it back down. Keep your knee straight, careful not to bend or twist it. Repeat about 10 times three times a day.
Practice isometric exercises for additional strength. While sitting, standing or lying down, squeeze your buttocks and hold for five to 10 seconds and release. Repeat 10 times after you perform your other exercises. Tighten up your thigh muscle in the same manner. Ffor another isometric exercise, slide your legs apart as far as you can, hold for a count of 10 and then return them to the resting position. Do 10 repetitions, three or four times a day.
Standing
Hospital staff will want to get you standing up within a day or two of surgery to help avoid blood clots that can form following a surgical procedure. Allow them to help you stand because you will feel weak and dizzy at first. Continue getting up until you can stand on your own, and then begin using a walker to move. Once you can stand independently, start doing knee raises. Hold onto a counter top or sturdy chair back and raise the knee on your weakened leg up to your waist. Hold the lift for a count to five and lower the leg slowly. Repeat 10 times multiple times a day. Stand sideways and hold on to the chair or counter for balance. Lift your leg to the side as high as you can and hold it as you tighten your hip muscles. Lower your leg slowly and repeat 10 times.
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