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Surface Hippy A Patient to Patient Guide About Hip Resurfacing
Surface Hippy is Patricia Walter's
Personal Project to help people lean about Hip Resurfacing
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Surface Hippy A Patient to Patient Guide About Hip Resurfacing
Surface Hippy is Patricia Walter's
Personal Project to help people lean about Hip Resurfacing
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Early Post Op Exercises The exercises shown on this page are typical to what many surgeons suggest after hip replacement surgery. Your surgeon may specify different exercises and you should only do what your own surgeon suggests for your particular case. These exercises are important for increasing circulation to your
legs and feet to prevent blood clots. They also are important to strengthen
muscles and to improve your hip movement. You may begin these exercises in the
recovery room shortly after surgery. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but
these exercises will speed your recovery and reduce your postoperative pain.
These exercises should be done as you lie on your back with your legs spread
slightly apart.
Standing Exercises Soon after your surgery, you will be out of bed and able to
stand. You will require help since you may become dizzy the first several times
you stand. As you regain your strength, you will be able to stand independently.
While doing these standing exercises, make sure you are holding on to a firm
surface such as a bar attached to your bed or a wall.
Soon after surgery, you will begin to walk short distances in
your hospital room and perform light everyday activities. This early activity
helps your recovery by helping your hip muscles regain strength and movement. Stand comfortably and erect with your weight evenly balanced on
your walker or crutches. Move your walker or crutches forward a short distance.
Then move forward, lifting your operated leg so that the heel of your foot will
touch the floor first. As you move, your knee and ankle will bend and your
entire foot will rest evenly on the floor. As you complete the step allow your
toe to lift off the floor. Move the walker again and your knee and hip will
again reach forward for your next step. Remember, touch your heel first, then
flatten your foot, then lift your toes off the floor. Try to walk as smoothly as
you can. Don't hurry. As your muscle strength and endurance improve, you may
spend more time walking. Gradually, you will put more and more weight on your
leg. A walker is often used for the first several weeks to help your
balance and to avoid falls. A cane or a crutch is then used for several more
weeks until your full strength and balance skills have returned. Use the cane or
crutch in the hand opposite the operated hip. You are ready to use a cane or
single crutch when you can stand and balance without your walker, when your
weight is placed fully on both feet, and when you are no longer leaning on your
hands while using your walker.
A full recovery will take many months. The pain from your problem hip before your surgery and the pain and swelling after surgery have weakened your hip muscles. The following exercises and activities will help your hip muscles recover fully. Exercycling Exercycling is an excellent activity to help you regain muscle
strength and hip mobility. Adjust the seat height so that the bottom of your
foot just touches the pedal with your knee almost straight. Pedal backwards at
first. Pedal forward only after comfortable cycling motion is possible
backwards. As you become stronger (at about 4 to 6 weeks) slowly increase the
tension on the exercycle. Exercycle forward 10 to 15 minutes twice a day,
gradually building up to 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a week. Take a cane with you until you have regained your balance
skills. In the beginning, walk 5 or 10 minutes 3 or 4 times a day. As your
strength and endurance improves, you can walk for 20 or 30 minutes 2 or 3 times
a day. Once you have fully recovered, regular walks, 20 or 30 minutes 3 or 4
times a week, will help maintain your strength.
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Web design by Patricia Walter Copyright Surface Hippy 2006 |
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