Exercises After Hip Replacement Surgery

Exercises will help your muscles begin to wake up after surgery and will help to promote circulation in your legs to prevent blood clots from forming. Remember to breathe in as you tighten your muscles and out as you relax them. Breathe normally while you hold the position.

Ankle Pumps

1. Begin lying on your back with your legs straight.
2. Slowly pump your ankles by bending and straightening them.
3. Try to keep the rest of your legs relaxed while you move your ankles.
4. Perform 10 repetitions at least five times a day.

Quad Setting

1. Begin lying on your back with one knee bent and your other leg straight with your knee resting on the bed.
2. Gently squeeze your thigh muscles, pushing the back of your knee down into the bed.
3. Make sure to keep your back flat against the bed during the exercise.
4. Perform 10 repetitions at least five times a day.

Glute Setting

1. Begin lying on your back with your hands resting comfortably.
2. Tighten your butt muscles, then release and repeat.
3. Make sure not to arch your lower back during the exercise or hold your breathe as you tighten your muscles.
4. Perform 10 repetitions at least five times a day.

Heel Slides

1. Begin lying on your back on a bed or flat surface.
2. Slowly slide the heel of your surgical leg toward your bottom, bending at your hip and knee. Hold briefly, then return to the starting position and repeat.
3. Make sure to keep your movements slow and controlled and move your heel in line with your leg. Do not lift your heel off the bed or let your knee fall out to your side.

Standing or Lying Abduction

1. Begin lying on your back on a bed or standing next to something to hold on to with your feet slightly apart.
2. Slide your surgical leg out to your side, then return to starting position and repeat.
3. Make sure to keep your toes pointing straight ahead.