Hip surgery is a significant event that can limit your mobility and impact your daily activities. After hip surgery, exercise is an essential part of the recovery process as it helps to promote healing, increase flexibility, and improve strength. However, it's crucial to follow the advice of your doctor and physical therapist to ensure a safe and effective recovery. In this blog, we'll discuss some essential exercises to perform after hip surgery.
Walking
Walking is one of the best exercises you can perform after hip surgery. It helps to improve circulation, increase flexibility, and build strength in the muscles surrounding the hip joint. Start with short distances, and gradually increase the distance as your recovery progresses.
Range of Motion Exercises
Range of motion exercises helps to improve joint flexibility and mobility after hip surgery. An example of a range of motion exercise is ankle pumps, where you move your foot up and down while lying down. Other exercises such as hip abduction and adduction can also be beneficial. However, be sure to follow the specific instructions provided by your physical therapist.
Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening exercises help to improve the strength and stability of the muscles surrounding the hip joint. Examples of exercises include straight leg raises, clamshells, and bridges. These exercises should be performed under the guidance of your physical therapist to avoid overexertion and ensure proper form.
Aquatic therapy can be an effective form of exercise after hip surgery. Water provides buoyancy, which reduces the amount of weight-bearing on the hip joint. This makes it easier to perform exercises such as walking, leg lifts, and hip circles. Aquatic therapy can also be a more comfortable and less painful option for some patients.
Low-Impact Aerobic Exercises
Low-impact aerobic exercises such as cycling, elliptical machines, and swimming can also be beneficial after hip surgery. These exercises help to improve cardiovascular health and build endurance. However, avoid high-impact exercises such as running and jumping, which can place stress on the hip joint.
In conclusion, exercise is an essential part of the recovery process after hip surgery. However, it's essential to follow the advice of your doctor and physical therapist to ensure a safe and effective recovery. Remember to start with low-intensity exercises and gradually increase the intensity as your recovery progresses. With time, patience, and dedication, you'll be able to return to your normal activities and enjoy a pain-free life after hip surgery.
