HIP REPLACEMENT
Exercise is the best way for a recovering surgery patient to recover their strength and flexibility following their hip replacement surgery. SIT AND BE FIT always includes exercises designed to lubricate the hip joint and to strengthen the muscles surrounding the hip joint because strong muscles stabilize the joints. Exercises to improve balance, gait, proprioception (position sense), and coordination are equally important. In addition, a regular walking program develops strong leg muscles and bones.
Those managing a hip replacement either recovering from surgery or a few months out of surgery first must have consent from the physician or physical therapist before beginning any exercise program. We would also expect that your physician or physical therapist has recommended exercises specific to your condition that you will need to do for several weeks upon release from the physician. Following your prescribed therapy, you can begin to exercise with SIT AND BE FIT. However, there will be some exercises in our videos that you will need to modify or skip to prevent further injury. The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) suggests that you avoid the following movements when exercising or even in daily life after hip replacement surgery:
- Avoid crossing a leg beyond the midline of the body, either in bed or seated.
- Keep feet six inches apart when standing or sitting.
- Think about aligning hip, knee and ankle joints, seated or standing.
- Do not flex the hip more than 90 degree. If seated for exercise, be sure to lean back slightly avoid the 90 degree position. You may want to position car seats to slightly lean back as well.
- Raise the hip higher than the knee joint when sitting.
- Keep knees below hip level.
- Never pick up weights from the floor. Have someone pick them up for you or keep them on a higher surface.
- Avoid bending at the waist.
- Completely avoid spinal rotation or twisting of the body.
- Avoid turning the foot inward. Often the foot will naturally find this position, so be aware of the need to change this position.
- When lying on the non-surgical side, place a pillow between the thighs and knees so the surgical leg does not fall past the midline of the body.
Recommended SIT AND BE FIT exercises for those managing a hip replacement:
Look at these articles for information on exercises: Standing Exercises for Balance and Fall Prevention Exercises
