Dr. Amy and Ashley: Week 1-3 post operative hip replacement recovery exercises.

Whew. You made it through.

Your total hip replacement surgery is now behind you. It's not always the case, but most patients wake up without the hip and groin pain of their old arthritic joint once it's been removed. And through either robotic assistance or digital planning your surgeon has selected the perfect sized implants; so your hip and pelvis actually feel pretty good. Overall, if you're like most people, your only regret is that you didn't do this earlier.

And now you're starting to think about the future. What can you do to make sure things go as well as possible? At least what can you do not to mess things up?

The first three weeks after hip replacement are mostly about catching your breath. There are no specific exercises that need to be done. However, we do want to avoid complications. The most feared complication is blood clots in your legs, because they can break off an go to your lungs. But not if you get up and walk enough. So get up and walk 10 min out of every hour. You'll feel better and the movement protects you front the clots.

One exercise you can do it called swimmers. You move your feet forward and backward, as if you were 'paddling.' The movement just keep your muscles engaged and prepared them for the work ahead.

[dizzyfingers]

I had waited so long for my hip surgery, that my leg had almost no strength left in it. They tried to get me to walk the same day, and I fell. The next morning, they tried to get me to walk again, and I fell again, even though I was surrounded by staff both times.
I was in excruciating pain and they did a CT scan and discovered my hip had been fractured.
I think that getting up and start walking is an individualized thing. I am now on day 11. And I still probably cannot walk for 10 minutes. Just sharing my story for those who are not walking immediately. My pain is significantly different, and reducing.

[rds]

I am 71 and did not need a single pain pill even once. Not prescription OR OTC. Had a great surgeon in Wisconsin. Had anterior hip replacement March 24. Now 4 weeks later walking and driving and have no pain at all. Golf next weekend !

[lonnieknotts]

Love your vids . I'm 50 and just had a anterior left hip done and these vids are a huge help.
BTW Dr. Amy you are gorgeous.

[meagainandagain]

The hospital physio asked me to start the morning after surgery. 12 exercises repeated 5 times, until eventually you repeat 30 times for each set. Repeat this 3 times a day.

[statcoop]

This was helpful. I’m going into week 4 and I just thought my therapist and surgeon was setting me up for failure. I see that I need to slow down. Thanks for the uplifting.

[troytuttle]

I have had multiple physicians say get moving on rehab vs this laying around approach.

[drivingparadox]

I’m 19 days post right total hip replacement op. (Posterior) in Melbourne 🇦🇺.

Common approach here is up walking within 12hrs, walking frame and walking and basic physio exercises within 48hrs. I went to live-in physio straight from hospital for seven nights where a whole range of supervised exercises were done twice a day. I was walking with one crutch from day 12 post op.

Quite a different approach.

[jeanescharms]

I was told to go as soon as possible. My first appt was 2 days after my surgery. The first 2 days I was out of it because of the oxy but on day 3 i stopped taking it and took only tylonal. The 3rd day I was doing laundry, but I was taking long naps too. I kinda feel like I got ripped off because my downtime was almost non-existant. I did PT for 6 visits, used the walker for 10 days, the cane for 2 weeks after that and then switched to using it only for outside trips. I went into this surgery with a super positive attitude and looked forward to being able to walk without pain. It was the next best thing to quittinng smoking as far as what I have done for myself. I am painfree and even walked up stairs. The best advice I received was go to the bathroom everytime you get up. If you dont want to do this, make sure you have clean underwear and baby wips next to the toilet because you are going to need them.

[juliafisher]

Thank you for this. In England 🇬🇧 had lateral hip replacement Day 11. Given exercises to do from day 1. Saw another video on you tube that said do not straighten and lift the operated leg for at least 2 weeks so I dropped those excercises bit continued the others. My operated side had previously dropped causing me to go on lifted foot all the time to level up my pelvis and reduce pain. Post op I was level ! But from yesterday sadly its dropped again and I'm lopsided again 😢 was so sure it was cured .. I don't know what to do now #feelingblue

[sabhird]

What about at night? Do I have to wake up every hour to walk around then too?

[johnpurnell]

Everyone is different but it really depends on being proactive and exercising before surgery. Do hip thrusters with weight to activate your glutes, use bands for abductor and adductor exercises. Squats, leg extensions and leg curls. Push through the pain, you’re not going to make your hip joint worse.

Second hip and no meds this time. Anterior hip replacement and felt like someone gave me a punch in the thigh. First day I was at PT with a walker and some light range of motion exercises. 48 hrs later, back at PT with a cane and doing ball leg curls and 2 sets of 20 table squats.

Bottom line protocols should be a baseline but differentiate depending on your muscle strength, flexibity, and pain tolerance. As I write this 1O days post-op, 30 minutes on Peloton, and various leg exercises at the gym. Treadmill 6 degree incline, decent walking speed.

Bottom line research various literature, and rehab exercises. Go slow on all movements, work on balance and core, and be aware of your body.

[martinmartinw]

A day an and half since anterior hip replacement. Painful but with I’m sure it will be worth it. Painful under control with Tylenol, the Oxy prescribed makes me feel fuzzy and stops up my bowels. Walking up and down the hallway with my walker. Ice ing for A half an hour at a time. At 67 just want to get my life back as soon a possible. Am I rushing it r continue doing what I’m doing.

[crystalcoleman]

Well Im 6 days out, and its pretty painful!!! I have alot of pain in the groin. Im small, healthy, and a avid walker, is a week to soon to be complaining>?? lol

[johnward]

My surgeon wanted me in PT right away. I had surgery on a Wednesday and was in PT on Monday. I went in on a walker and PT said get rid of the walker.

[antysmith]

Would I be recommended this since I’m only 21 though.

[pandisundaraj]

Good morning mam p l s 12 week hip replacement exercise post thanks

[mercedesmoreno]

I’m having surgery on July 13 and I have rehab appt the next day! 😭

[Taine]

I had my hip replaced 6 days ago. How long do I need to sleep on my back?

[mikesmith]

This is wrong, your suppose to start the day after, anterior approach

[teodormacovei]

, all pt exercises are bs. After hip replacement, just rest, thats it. Walk and rest. no P T for 3 weeks.