Medical Information

Explore detailed information about a range of joint problems and treatments, including medications, surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Reading this will help you understand more about your own condition. There is also a glossary with explanations of many medical terms used in orthopaedics. You can find out even more by following the links page to other related websites, journals or professional medical associations.

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Physiotherapy and Exercises Following Hip Replacement

Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
Your participation in physical therapy is essential to the success of your surgery. The more committed and enthusiastic you are, the quicker your improvement and recovery will be.

A physiotherapist will visit you before surgery and again afterwards on the day after surgery and will start to instruct you on the exercise program. You will receive physiotherapy each day following the surgery.
These sessions are normally one on one with a physiotherapist.

Exercises to Prepare for and following Hip Replacement
To help you to prepare for your hip replacement surgery you may practise the following exercises at home. The purpose of these exercises is to strengthen muscles, which will be useful in your rehabilitation. These exercises should be performed at least twice a day in repetitions of 10 for one month before surgery.

1. Heel Slide
(done lying on your back)
Slide your heel along the surface, bending the knee towards your chest
Hold for 3 seconds
Then slide the heel downward, straightening the knee.

2a. Hip Abduction
Begin with your legs together.
Slide a leg out to the side then return the leg to middle.

2b. Hip Abduction
(lying on your side)
Lift your top leg up towards the ceiling, keeping the knee straight and toes pointed.
Your bottom leg should be kept bent to maintain your balance. Bring your leg back down.

3. Quad Sets
With a rolled towel under your knee, press downwards, tightening the knee and raising the heel approximately 1 inch off the surface.

4. Short Arc Quad Sets
With a bolster under your knee, raise the foot and straighten your knee.
Hold for 3 seconds. Lower your foot slowly

5. Straight Leg Raise
Raise your leg toward the ceiling, keeping the knee straight.
Your opposite knee should be bent, with your foot flat on the surface to protect your back from straining.

6. Ankle Pump
Pump the ankles, pulling your toes up, then point them downward
Continue this up and down movement

7. Knee Extension
Begin with your feet flat on the floor. Slowly raise your foot straightening the knee. Hold this position for 3 seconds keeping the back of your thigh on the chair. Lower your foot to floor.
This exercise can be done with a small rolled towel under your thigh

8. Dorsi/Plantar Flexion
Begin with both feet flat on floor. Raise your toes up keeping your heels on the floor.

Reverse, raising both heels with your toes on the floor.
Continue alternating, raising first the toes and then the heels.

9. Gluteal Sets
Recline on your back, supported by your elbows. Keep both legs straight.
Squeeze your buttocks together as tightly as possible. Hold for five seconds and relax.

How do I find out more?
To fins out more information about pre- and post-operative exercises contact a local physiotherapist.

Moving about following your total hip replacement surgery?
Instructions will be given as to how to:
How to Climb and Descend Stairs?
Bed positioning
Bed transfer
Chair positioning
How to use a walker
Sitting
Physiotherapy
Toilet Transfer Using a Raised Toilet Seat
Getting in and out of the Bath
Getting in and out of the Shower
Getting in and out of your Car
Dressing
Slacks and Underwear
Socks and Stockings
Shoes
Reaching for Objects
Safe Positions for Intercourse
Unsafe Positions For Intercourse

© OrthopaedicsOpinionOnline 2011 www.OrthopaedicOpinionOnline.co.uk
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of Orthopaedic Opinion Online or the author. The information is provided for general background reading only and should not be relied upon for treatment. Advice should always be taken from a registered medical practitioner for individual circumstances and for treatment of any patient in any circumstances. No liability is accepted by Orthopaedic Opinion Online, or the author in respect to the information provided in respect of the content or omission or for any reason or as a result of treatment in individual circumstances. This information is not for use in the USA.