Hip replacement surgery is often a last resort treatment for those who suffer from chronic hip pain and inflammation caused due to injury, arthritis, or other conditions.

Recovery after hip replacement surgery is a long and gradual process, requiring a lot of patience and commitment. Improving your range of motion is one of the most important aspects of recovery after hip replacement surgery.

A range of motion exercises helps improve your flexibility and help you regain the normal functionality of your hip joint.

Let’s explore various ranges of motion exercises that can help improve flexibility after hip replacement surgery and their importance.

Importance of Range of Motion Exercises After Hip Replacement Surgery

After hip replacement surgery, the muscles surrounding the hip are weak, and the joint is stiff.

Range of motion exercises take your joints through their full span of movement. These exercises help reduce stiffness and improve circulation. They also encourage movement, prevent scar tissue formation, and help regain strength and flexibility.

By regularly doing these exercises, patients can speed up their recovery period, reduce the risk of postoperative complications, and return to normal activities sooner.

Simple Range of Motion Exercises After Hip Replacement Surgery

Here are the top four exercises that can help with hip flexibility after hip replacement surgery.

Hip Flexion

Hip flexion exercise is an advanced range of motion exercise that helps improve hip joint flexibility. This exercise involves pulling your knee towards your chest while keeping your foot flat on the bed. Performing this exercise regularly and holding your leg in the recommended position for a few seconds can further help strengthen your hip flexor muscles.

This exercise should be done under the supervision of a physiotherapist, as it involves significant stress on the hip joint.

Hip Abduction

Hip abduction exercise is an excellent way to improve the range of motion of your hip joint. For this exercise, lie on your side with the operated leg on the top. Slowly raise your operated leg up off the bed while maintaining the straight alignment of your knee joint.

Hold your operated leg in this position for 5 seconds and then slowly return to your original position. Repeat at least 10 times. This exercise can be done standing up, with your hands braced on the back of the chair.

Standing Hip Extension

Standing hip extension can significantly improve your hip joint’s range of motion and flexibility. For the exercise, stand straight with a chair for support. Slowly lift your operated leg backward, keeping your back and knee straight.

Hold your leg in this position for at least 2 to 3 seconds, and then return to your original position. Repeat 10 times.

Quadriceps Stretch

The quadriceps muscles in the front of your thigh can become tight after hip replacement surgery. Quadriceps stretches can help to improve the range of motion in your hip joint.

Start by standing up straight with your feet hip-width apart. Then, bend your knee and bring your heel towards your buttocks. Grasp your ankle with your hand and gently pull your heel towards your buttocks until you feel a stretch in the front of your thigh. Hold for 20-30 seconds, then release. Repeat this stretch 2-3 times on each leg.

Precautions And Restrictions

While the exercises mentioned above are generally safe, listening to your body and not pushing beyond its limits is important. Stop any exercise that causes pain. Also, avoid crossing your operated leg over the other one, bending at the hip more than 90 degrees, and turning your feet excessively inward or outward, as these positions can dislocate your new hip joint.

Most people who undergo hip replacement surgery are recommended to follow these precautions for at least 90 days following their hip replacement; however, based on your unique case, your physical therapist may recommend you follow them for about 6 months.

Exercises After Hip Replacement Surgery in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia

Range of motion exercises are an essential part of the recovery process after hip replacement surgery. By performing these exercises regularly, you can improve your flexibility, reduce stiffness and pain, improve your overall quality of life, and reduce the risk of complications.

If you are scheduled for a hip replacement and are looking for a facility that offers pre-op physical therapy and post-op rehab, visit us here at H2 Health. We have 135 outpatient clinics where we deliver exceptional quality services and therapies to help people recover promptly from their hip replacement surgery. We provide rehabilitative tools and hands-on physical therapy to treat and avoid a range of movement disorders and help individuals recover effectively.

For more information about our wide-ranging services and to schedule your first appointment with our therapist, contact us today!