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Mentor

What exercises help recovery & strength after hip replacement?

Posted by Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5, Mar 3, 2020

I'm looking for feedback, suggestions, and support for re-building strength after left total hip replacement.

My surgery (anterior incision) was at Mayo in November, 2019. For the first 3 months after surgery, I followed the physical therapist's recommendations for exercises (range of motion, walking, stationary bike) and added no leg bands or weights to my lower body. I even went snowshoeing and that was great! Let me note that I've been lifting weights for almost 30 years and was physically active until the hip pain became worse over the past few years. Thus, the decision to do the recommended total hip replacement. At the 3 month follow-up on February 20, 2020, the surgeon said there are no restrictions on my physical activity but to take it slow. I've still trying to figure out what "taking it slow" means. I'm lifting light weights (10-15 pounds) on machines (hamstring curls, leg extensions, leg press). I've added these just since returning from that February 20 appointment at Mayo and go to the gym twice a week. I have osteoporosis so weight lifting is important. But here's the thing - I have more pain and discomfort in my surgical leg and lower back than before February 20.

What is everyone else doing for their rehab post surgery at the 3 month mark? How are you have pain? How are you managing?

Blessings to you all.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 14, 2022

@cat082011 I was 67-years-old when I had my THR surgery. I'd been as active as I could be before the surgery. I used the walker for about a week after I got home. I used the cane during the day. I continued to use the walker if I got up at night to use the bathroom since I wanted to be very careful. I also followed the PT instructions. Everybody is different and has to go at their own pace. I kept telling myself that it's not a competition or a race. I transitioned from walker to cane to no cane when I felt steady on my feet and tried not to rush it. You'll get there.

REPLY
cindiwass | @cindiwass | Sep 14, 2022
In reply to @cindiwass "I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try..." + (show)
@cindiwass

I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try to move that leg. I had anterior surgery. I can walk slightly with a walker but have serious pain when I try to bend the knee upwards, or raise the leg to get in or out of bed. And when I try to walk, even though I try to walk a little each day. I am starting PT soon but wonder what exercises should I/could I be doing to help heal. I hope the PT will offer me some good advice, but frankly, I've not been too thrilled with the aftercare. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

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I already looked at their youtube and did not find it helpful except for one point they gave about moving or not moving the leg. I need gentler exercises. Having trouble.

REPLY
cindiwass | @cindiwass | Sep 14, 2022
In reply to @cindiwass "I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try..." + (show)
@cindiwass

I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try to move that leg. I had anterior surgery. I can walk slightly with a walker but have serious pain when I try to bend the knee upwards, or raise the leg to get in or out of bed. And when I try to walk, even though I try to walk a little each day. I am starting PT soon but wonder what exercises should I/could I be doing to help heal. I hope the PT will offer me some good advice, but frankly, I've not been too thrilled with the aftercare. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

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How long did it take you to get better after total hip replacement? That's the question.

REPLY
1 reply
Vanessa | @maryvanessa | Sep 14, 2022
In reply to @viatroy7 "Check out Bob and Brad on YouTube. They go thru a series of post-surgical exercises for..." + (show)
@viatroy7

Check out Bob and Brad on YouTube. They go thru a series of post-surgical exercises for after hip replacement.

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Yes their website and teaching are awesome helped me greatly after 3 failed fusions last one took but I was in a lot pain .they are on YouTube .
Beat PT out there for the masses to learn do exercises that work
I walk a lot too helps a lot too , But lately it’s been hard in this heat in Fl
Hopefully soon back to the trails

REPLY
Vanessa | @maryvanessa | Sep 14, 2022
In reply to @cindiwass "I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try..." + (show)
@cindiwass

I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try to move that leg. I had anterior surgery. I can walk slightly with a walker but have serious pain when I try to bend the knee upwards, or raise the leg to get in or out of bed. And when I try to walk, even though I try to walk a little each day. I am starting PT soon but wonder what exercises should I/could I be doing to help heal. I hope the PT will offer me some good advice, but frankly, I've not been too thrilled with the aftercare. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

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Yoga teachers that special in people that have had procedure can give you also right ones for your condition
I found one local
She keeps me flexiable without cause any issues with my fusion

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 14, 2022
In reply to @cindiwass "I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try..." + (show)
@cindiwass

I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try to move that leg. I had anterior surgery. I can walk slightly with a walker but have serious pain when I try to bend the knee upwards, or raise the leg to get in or out of bed. And when I try to walk, even though I try to walk a little each day. I am starting PT soon but wonder what exercises should I/could I be doing to help heal. I hope the PT will offer me some good advice, but frankly, I've not been too thrilled with the aftercare. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

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@cindiwass, congrats on the new hip. One week post surgery isn't very long. Ice, ice, ice. You ask a great question about exercise and rehab after hip replacement surgery. In addition to the helpful comments you already got from @maryvanessa and @viatroy7, I'd like to tag fellow THR-ers @macrdo @jojo58 @nat0430 @helennicola @novelnana to share their experiences.

What were your favorite exercises? Which ones are you especially glad you did (even if you didn't like them)? And what motivated you to keep up with working on your mobility?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 14, 2022
In reply to @cindiwass "How long did it take you to get better after total hip replacement? That's the question." + (show)
@cindiwass

How long did it take you to get better after total hip replacement? That's the question.

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Cindi, you also ask how long does it take to get better. I moved this valuable question to the discussion about rehab and exercising so that others can weigh in. I'll just say, everyone is different.

REPLY
jojo58 | @jojo58 | Sep 14, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@cindiwass, congrats on the new hip. One week post surgery isn't very long. Ice, ice, ice...." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@cindiwass, congrats on the new hip. One week post surgery isn't very long. Ice, ice, ice. You ask a great question about exercise and rehab after hip replacement surgery. In addition to the helpful comments you already got from @maryvanessa and @viatroy7, I'd like to tag fellow THR-ers @macrdo @jojo58 @nat0430 @helennicola @novelnana to share their experiences.

What were your favorite exercises? Which ones are you especially glad you did (even if you didn't like them)? And what motivated you to keep up with working on your mobility?

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I didn’t mind the exercise's at all. Just something you have to do if you don’t want it to freeze up and have to have it re-done. I’ve had both hips replaced and a revision on one a month and a half after the initial surgery. Now I have one long scar where the doctor had to take out the one that wasn’t right and replace it. It kept dislocating because the other surgeon didn’t put it in right. Then I got infection in there and they’d draw fluid out of it about 5 times. I had natural childbirth 40 years ago, I’m no wimp on pain. But hip dislocation was so bad I thought I’d shoot myself. Had to go to ER by ambulance 4 times to have it put back in. I couldn’t wait to have it fixed. The only major risk was he’d crack my femur putting the new hip in. And my luck is not too good because he did crack it but it’s glued and wired in there. Hope it lasts a while. Of all the joint replacements the hip is the easiest to recover and if you had pain before, after surgery it’s gone. Incision pain but that’s nothing. I’m just glad I can walk without pain or a limp. You just gotta put the work in. My first one I was back to work in 2 weeks. I worked the truck at Kohl’s so they put me on a register for a month.

REPLY
1 reply
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Sep 15, 2022
In reply to @cindiwass "I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try..." + (show)
@cindiwass

I had total hip replacement last week. I'm in a lot of pain when I try to move that leg. I had anterior surgery. I can walk slightly with a walker but have serious pain when I try to bend the knee upwards, or raise the leg to get in or out of bed. And when I try to walk, even though I try to walk a little each day. I am starting PT soon but wonder what exercises should I/could I be doing to help heal. I hope the PT will offer me some good advice, but frankly, I've not been too thrilled with the aftercare. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

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Hey Cindi - get in touch with your surgeon's office and have them schedule time for you with a PT. I haven't had my hips replaced but did with both knees. Immediate post-op pain is normal. For my knees, the first week was hardest. Stick to the rehab exercises you do with the PT, and do them at home. Have the PT give you printouts of what exercises to do and how often.

You're gonna be fine!

Joe

REPLY
1 reply
cindiwass | @cindiwass | Sep 15, 2022
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hey Cindi - get in touch with your surgeon's office and have them schedule time for..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Hey Cindi - get in touch with your surgeon's office and have them schedule time for you with a PT. I haven't had my hips replaced but did with both knees. Immediate post-op pain is normal. For my knees, the first week was hardest. Stick to the rehab exercises you do with the PT, and do them at home. Have the PT give you printouts of what exercises to do and how often.

You're gonna be fine!

Joe

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The PT came but did not leave me with a printout of the exercises he had me do. I will ask for them next time he comes.
Thanks for saying I'll be fine; I hope so, that is why I decided to go ahead with this.

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