How important are the hip replacement exercises before and after surgery?
Why do people need hip replacement exercises before and after the surgery?
To answer this question, you must be aware of the progression of the disease which put you in a situation of needing a total hip replacement. As osteoarthritis is the main culprit behind this situation, you must know that it is a progressive disease which means once this condition affects the person, the hip joint continues to degrade and lose its strength exponentially. In order to be operable you have to regain a minimum level of strength necessary for you to go through this surgery. Also, it is very obvious that the exercises are the main element of your post-operation recovery to regain movement and strength.
Hip replacement exercises before surgery are important
- To strengthen the muscles
- To enhance and protect your hip movement
- To help you with the pain and to make you avoid painkillers
- In order to keep your weight in check
- So that you can sleep better
- To give you an idea of post-operative exercises
Physical therapy exercises after total hip replacement are important
- To help you regain movement and strength
- In order to reduce inflammation
- Because these exercises prevent blood clotting
- To reduce pain
- To Increase the activities which you can tolerate
- To help you sleep
What are the hip replacement exercises you have to do before surgery?
Core muscle exercises
The main aim of these physical therapy exercises is to make you learn how to turn on your core muscles. Two of the most important core muscles to target from these exercises are:
- Bladder muscles: The exercises to target these muscles include laying the belly up on the ground and pulling the balder to the belly button. In order to make this exercise work you must hold for 7 seconds and then release. Also, you must do 8 repetitions of this exercise, 3 times a day
- Abdominal muscles: These exercises include pulling the belly inward the spine. You must keep your chest relaxed for this exercise while holding the position for 7 seconds and then releasing. The repetitions for this exercise are 8 for 3 times a day.
Push-ups on armchair
This surgery is meant to make you ready for using a walker after the surgery by strengthening your arms. In order to do this hip replacement surgery, you have to sit on an armrest chair and place your hands on the armrests. Then you have to push the armrests to make your body lift off the seat.
Exercises to improve your range of hip motion include
- Sliding your leg out with 10 repetitions
- Stretching your hip with 11 repetitions
Exercises to strengthen your leg include
- Set of exercises to strengthen your knee
- Bridge position to lift your hip
Other stretching exercises include
- Expanding your hamstring 10 times
- Stretching your calf 11 times
- Stretching your thigh on your belly
What are the hip replacement exercises after surgery?
The measures to be taken after surgery differs from patient to patient but the general set of physical therapy exercises is as follows for the recovery from total hip replacement:
For three weeks after surgery
The set of exercises to make your leg move with respect to the bed and to make you able to go to the toilet without help are:
- Pump your ankle and foot to prevent blood clotting and reduce inflammation
- Breathing exercises
- Turing on core muscles
- Squeezing your buttock while sitting as well as lying down
- Exercises to strengthen your knee
- Sliding your leg out of the bed
- Stretching your hip and hamstring
- Stretching your calf
- Carefully lifting your hip with assistance
- Bending hip while sitting on a chair
- Hip extension exercises
- Weight shifting and knee bending exercises
After 3 weeks to 6 weeks
These sets of exercises will make you able to bend the hip 90 degrees and strengthen it. You will also get off the walker and will be able to walk short distances with a cane
- Turing out your knee while your core bent
- One leg bent, half-bridge exercise without assistance
- Stretching the front thigh while being on the belly
- Squeezing the heels together while bending the knees, on the belly
- Thigh lifts
- Bending hips while standing with the assistance of support
- Standing hip slides
- Riding a stationary bike
For 6 to 9 weeks
After these hip replacement exercises, you will be able to move without a limp for longer distances. You will also progress in the recovery to a point where you can balance on your operated leg. Moreover, you will be able to return to work with minimal physical exertion.
- Lifting your bent knee while laying down
- Pulling out your bent knee with an elastic band on
- Sliding up and down against the wall
- Pushing your leg against the wall
- One leg balance
- Rising heels
- Standing up with the resistance of the elastic band
From 9 to 12 weeks
Through these exercises, you will feel your hip strengthened and will be able to perform day-to-day activities. These exercises will help you to walk without a limp and even drive. After this set of physical therapy exercises, you can continue your exercises in the physiotherapy center.
- Lifting the leg while the knee bent
- Sliding your leg out while keeping your leg straight, on your belly
- Bridge exercise while the operated leg bent
- Half split squat
- Stepping up and down, forwards and sideways
Balancing on a board with the assistance of a pole in different variations
Conclusion
Each hip replacement exercise is unique and should be done with the assistance of a professional physiotherapist. The physical therapy exercises are done before surgery, and aim at making your total hip replacement successful. Moreover, the step-by-step post-operation exercise program is an integral part of your recovery from the surgery. Apart from strengthening your hip, enhancing flexibility and balance, and making you able for important aerobic activities, your physiotherapist will also guide you for your home routines before and after the surgery. A good physiotherapist, along with physical therapy exercises, will make you comfortable and confident for your surgery. If you are in search of an excellent hip replacement exercise routine, check out our website now to avoid even a day going in vain. As you know the early start of physiotherapy before surgery gives you a head start for recovery after.
For more information related to physical therapy exercises, contact Om Physio Plus nutrition