Hip surgery is a major joint surgery that requires significant recovery and rehabilitation. In order to heal adequately and thrive after surgery, it’s essential that you follow your surgeon’s directions on exercises post-surgery. Exercise will increase muscle strength and flexibility, which is crucial for protecting the joint and taking off pressure.
Additionally, exercise promotes healing because it increases blood flow throughout the body, including the surgery site. This will help you heal better and faster so you can go back to your desired lifestyle post-surgery.
Consult With Your Doctor First
Make sure to talk to your surgeon before doing any exercise or before making any adjustments to recommended exercises. Your surgeon understands you, your medical conditions, and your surgery details better than anyone. Any recommendations the doctor gives you should be taken seriously, so you can recover in the best and fastest way possible.
Patients are often advised to start exercises a few weeks after hip surgery, but the exact time to start depends on your specific procedure, any complications to consider, how well you are healing after the surgery, and other factors. Talk to your surgeon about when exactly is the best time for you to begin exercising. Here are some common exercises recommended for patients post-hip surgery:
Quad Squeezes
This exercise strengthens the quad muscles located in the front of the thighs that are responsible for supporting the hip joints. To do this exercise, lie on your back with legs extended and contract the quad muscles while laying legs straight on the ground. Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, release, then repeat until the set is complete.
Gluteus Squeezes
This exercise strengthens the gluteus muscles that support the hip joint. To do this exercise, lay on your back with legs extended and contract the gluteus muscles while laying legs straight on the ground. Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, release, then repeat until the set is complete.
Ankle Pumps
This exercise stimulates blood flow and strengthens the lower leg, which helps promote healing and supports the hip. To do this exercise, lie on your back with legs extended with a soft item like a blanket propping up the ankle above the ground. Flex and pull the heel of the foot away from the body and the toes toward the body, and hold for 5 seconds. Then, flex and pull the toes away from the body and the heel of the foot toward the calf, and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat the pair of movements until the set is complete.
Knee Extensions
This exercise strengthens the quads and improves flexibility in the hip and knee joints. To do this exercise, sit on a chair and lift the foot straight up until the leg is straight in the air in front of you. Hold the position for 5 seconds, release leg slowly to rest on the floor, and then repeat until the set is complete.
Heel Slides
This exercise makes the quads and hamstring muscles flexible so you have better range of motion. To do this exercise, lie on your back with legs laying straight in front of you. Put one knee up so your foot is flat on the floor and slide your foot toward your body as much as possible. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Then, slide your heel away from your body, eventually straightening the leg completely in front of you. Repeat this movement until the set is complete.
These are just a few of the best exercises you can do after hip surgery. There are plenty more that will help you heal better and faster post-surgery. Talk to your surgeon about which exercises are best for you.
Expert Hip Treatment in Michigan
If you are searching for an experienced and trustworthy orthopedic surgeon to examine and treat your hip pain, consider Movement Orthopedics in Clinton Township, Michigan. Our experts specialize in advanced diagnostics and treating a variety of orthopedic conditions like hip pain.
Call us at (586) 436-3785 to make an appointment today. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to helping improve your total orthopedic health.
