Exercise and muscle building after 1 year hip replacement

Posted , 20 users are following.

I am now 1 year out from surgery. Although things have been going well, I still feel like I'm not where I should be.

I still can't lay on my operated side.

I still have to take steps one at a time.

I still need a cane when walking distances.

And I still have slight limp.

I haven't followed my exercises faithfully but I do walk 3 times a week. It still hasn't built up my muscles in my hip and I still have a dent in my hip.

Can hip exercises help at this stage of the game or has the muscle already healed past re-fixing

Thank you!

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi there

    I'm sure exercises will still help. I'm 2 months post op and still in terrible pain, walk with a limp and struggle daily. I'm hopi G it gets better.

    Take care x

  • Posted

    Whether or not exercise can help to get rid of a limp depends on what exactly is wrong. In my case, I have had a bad limp and pain since my THR 8 months ago. I am also unable to balance on the surgical leg alone. That gave me the clue that my gluteus medius or minimus tendons/muscles were torn, and, sure enough, MRI confirmed that. I am seeing a new orthopedic surgeon who will do surgery to repair them. In my case, NO amount of exercise would have helped.

    It would probably be most helpful for you if you could get a precise diagnosis of exactly which muscles are not working, and then you could try some exercise to strengthen them. If that doesn't work, then perhaps there is something more serious going on. That certainly was the case for me.

    Good luck, Miele, in getting this problem solved. You shouldn't have to have a limp after THR!

  • Posted

    Hi Miele, I remember you from last year as I am 13 months now. I think you need to up your exercise level, can you see a physio? I started using. Static bike about 6 weeks post op and that really helped with building up muscle power. I don't have any of the symptoms you list above and would say I was back to normal but I exercise and walk every day. 

    Have ve you been to your GP to rule out any ongoing issues with your hip? If any problems have been ruled out I would say you need to exercise more. Maybe join a gym?  

    Catrin

    • Posted

      Hi Catrin,

      I echo your comments. I'm using my static bike daily and I believe it is really helping. I am only 12 weeks post op but have no limp. I started on the static at week 7.

      Hoping to get back onto a real bike sometime in the summer.

      Dawn

    • Posted

      Hi Dawn, yes my limp went within six days of starting the bike. Not sure I would be brave enough for a real bike but I'm in London so that's my excuse! 12 weeks is still early days but by then I could definitely see a light at the end of the long tunnel. Good luck with your recovery 

      catrin

  • Posted

    Hi mile I would def get professional opinion before embarking on on upping exercise in case you have under lying issues . I'm sure gentle daily walking can only be a good thing . Not being rude but how old are you and how active were you pre op ? I think both these make difference too .

    Good luck

    Denise

  • Posted

    Miele - I too had problems 12 months after THR. Finally admitted defeat and went and saw a physio, she watched me walk, checked out what i could do, also what i couldn't do.

    I surprised myself and her with some of my ability to do various stretches, and situps. 

    I too had a dent in my hip under the scar, and could not do the clam exercise, she explained and also showed me how to do this exercise properly, and feel for the muscle twitching, amazing that in a month the clam shell exercise came, and the muscle filled in, no dent.

    She was surprised it came back so quickly.

    She also identified that I had weakness in my core muscles as well, even though I could do the situp unassisted. I always thought that was core muscles.

    I too have been swimming/treading water, 3 times a week for an hour (had to build up to that hour) since a month after my surgery in the local heated pool, wonderful relaxing, and at the same time adding to my strength.

    Physio said if I was an example of how much treading water helped she would be sending more of her patients to do the same.

    Good luck hope my example can help you.

  • Posted

    Hi Miele,

    sorry to hear you are not recovering as well as hoped.

    ​Yes, do see a physio/alexandra teacher beore rushing into exercise. they have an ability t see you in a different light.and propose small sgnificant changes to posture.

    THEN

    ​yes strongly recommend you up your exercise, and bike  and walking both good.

    I use the step counter on my phone, which stimulates me to do 6,000 plus steps a day - swimming is good too.

    My gym trainer wants me  sit down on floor at least 4 times a day too, another idea for you

    good luck!

    ​Mic

    Also I year post op, and feel awsome !

     

  • Posted

    Firstly I think you need to find out exactly what the issue is. It might be a torn muscle or similar. Maybe a session with a physiotherapist would help. But once you've ruled that out, it seems to me that you need to up the exercise. I did mine religiously and saw a physio regularly too. It takes a long time to build up your muscles again and you need to work at it.
  • Posted

    My doctor had to cut out my lifting muscle in my thigh, I have a Hip replacement and from my hip half way to my knee is metal as well what exercises can I do to strengthen my leg I can't lift my leg to put my pants on or socks I have to bend down and slide it on please help

  • Posted

     Hi Miele,    I’m a 52 yo...My experience is YES...I’m 2 yrs out with (L) and 3.5 w/ (R) ....... been in PT (because of a fall a day after my (L) ) 2x a wk for 1.5 yrs....  Veteran Administration decided to stop PT 2 mo ago  (said PT wasn’t a maintenance program) Anyways, after stopping excercising at PT... hips have gotten stiff and difficult to move over the weeks...... started following the hip replacement exercises on UTube and amazingly things are improving!!!! The videos on utube are great, look for the two guys Bob and Brad..... they explain everything, diminstrate the right way too, and step by step..... even demonstrate how some people do the exercises wrong!  Caught myself doing a couple of them wrong myself....BUT, yes, exercise does help long after replacement!!!!  KennyT 

    • Posted

      Hi Kenny,

      Im 9 days post op on my right hip and 7 days away from having the stitches removed at that time i will be told when to go have the pre-op blood word before having my left hip replacement. My right hip feels so much better, I can now take full weight on that leg and am looking forward to being able to do the same with my left leg. My right leg is now 2 inches longer than than my left leg so PT has been a little difficult so really cant wait till both match in length and being able to take full weight on both legs. They'll be no stopping me after that. I too found a lot of good information with watching youtube videos. Hope to be back up and on my feet again shortly. Was told as long as hemoglobin is 10 or above left hip will be done on the 20 th of March. Wish me luck.

    • Posted

      Luv, luv luv, those two guys. They have helped me thru many issues! They are to the point and explain the why and how we heal in different stages .

       

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.