With the advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques and instrumentation, most patients can expect to return home either the same day or the day after total hip replacement surgery.
But to ensure a positive outcome after hip surgery, you must follow the postoperative instructions given by your surgeon and work on improving the strength of your hip muscles. Here are 5 exercises to help you meet this goal:
- Glut squeezes: Lie on your back and focus on squeezing your glutes. Hold the contraction for about 5 to 10 seconds.
- Quad squeezes: While lying on your back, focus on contracting the large quadriceps muscles in the front of your thighs. Hold the contraction for about 5 to 10 seconds.
- Heel slides: Lie on your back with your legs extended. Slowly slide your heel of the leg on the operated side towards your buttocks. Then slide it back down to extend the leg.
- Ankle pumps: Lie on your back with your ankle propped up by a pillow or blanket. Perform a pumping movement by pointing your toes up and towards your body and then down and away from your body
- Hip abductions: Lie your back with your legs fully extended. Keeping your leg straight, move it sideways away from the center of your body. As your strength increases, you can do this exercise while standing as well.
Perform 10-15 repetitions of each exercise every day. These exercises are designed to tone up the large muscles of the hips and thighs, stimulate blood flow to the lower leg and provide extra stability to the hip. You should also discuss with your surgeon any special precautions that might be specific to your condition.
Dr. Frisch is a specialist orthopedic surgeon focusing on minimally invasive hip and knee joint replacement as well as regenerative treatments for enhanced healing. He believes in creating a very personalized experience with the highest level of service. For all appointments & inquiries, please contact our offices located in Rochester and River District, MI.
