Exercises After THR

Hi Jen, I started Pilates and yoga 4 months prior to my hip replacement to get fit for the op. I also did aqua fit and some gym based exercises. Pre op everything was very modified as I had a lot of pain in certain positions. I did whatever I could manage or adapted the moves. Post op I was able to do gym based circuit training at the physio dept of the hospital 2 weeks post op. The physios said this was unusual and most people are able to do the circuits at 4 weeks post op. The exercises were 10 different stations and it was 3 minutes per station, squats, stairs, kneeling and standing, walking sideways, walking machine, stationary bike, balance on a ball, walking in a straight line as if on a tightrope while catching a ball, adduction leg raises and a balance machine that was like a computer game. This was once a week until week 6 when I was discharged. From week 5, I started going to the gym 3 times a week and doing a routine based on what I did in physio plus I would do 20 minutes walking and various exercises like adduction and squats in the pool. At week 6 I started a six week Pilates course run at the physio dept of the hospital. This was one hour a week for 6 weeks, after which I returned to my normal pilates class. I was able to do forward bends from 6 weeks but advised to take things steady and not push myself too far. By 12 weeks I was easily able to do the forward bends. Now I do 4 Pilates and 1 yoga class per week as well as 4 aqua fit classes. My hip feels very strong and I’m able to do most moves but I listen to my body as things can differ from day to day. Somedays I can comfortably sit cross legged others I can’t so just adapt the positions. I’m stick to the lower levels of exercise rather than go for any extreme postures and avoid some postions completely if the look too risky. Some of the extreme balance positions in yoga for example. I dont want to risk falling. There is quite a bit of info online regarding hip replacement and pilates. Look for pilates bridge for example. The hospital I was at was part of the Circle group and the Pilates classes were open to patients who’d had surgery elsewhere. I had to pay privately for the classes but it was similar to the cost of classes anywhere else even though they were very small classes with really personalised attention. I think Nuffield hospitals also have gyms. You would probably find instructors there who have rehab expertise. I have been amazed at how much it’s possible to do in Pilates and yoga. There is another lady in my Pilates class who has just had her second hip replacement and is back at about 10 weeks post op and doing great. 

All the best

Ann

90 Degree rule can be relaxed after 6 months -the hip should be stable by then - see graph.

I was able to get referred to a local  fitness class run by local health club especially for rehab, and am now under close supervision there. I am just 7 weeks out, and already doing walking 5kph, rowing, leg strengthening and abductions as far as I can manage!

I believe pilates is good for core strength - I may give it a try.

Hi JenMy hip was done in the UK under the NHS. I did go to a physio a few times but had to pay. I think it is worth going a few times to make sure you are doing the right things.

I have 8 exercises in my booklet:

1 Thigh tightening

2 Hip Movement in lying (on back slide heel towards bum)

3 also on back move operated leg out to side as far as possible

4 Hip stretch (lie flat on back for 1/2 hour)

5 in standing lift knee towards chest

6 also standing move leg back as far as poss

7 move leg to side as far as poss

8 bend knee bringing foot up behind you.

There is a note on 2 and 5 not to bend hip more than 90 deg

But I think the sideways you can do as far as you like. In my case I can't really get to 45 deg

But if the op was in April you should be past the 90deg restriction by now and hopefully meeting your surgeon for a 6 month review (often 7 or 8) fairly soon.

Hope this helps

Mike