Strengthening the Hip Joint Post-hip Replacement Surgery
Going through a total hip replacement operation to remove joint pain in the hip is only half the battle, health care providers say, because one still needs to undergo physical therapy to rehabilitate the operated leg. Exercise may help reduce joint pain and stiffness while increasing muscle strength and joint range of motion, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). However, the controversy behind hip replacement surgery due to the Metal-on-Metal hip implants are now at its peak when Johnson & Johnson announces the expected settlement amount for the thousands of lawsuits filed against them.
Here are some of the recommended hip strengthening exercises before and after the operation, according to the University of Missouri Health System School of Medicine:
- Straight Leg Lifts
o Lying on one’s back, bend the unoperated while keeping the operated leg straight. The thigh muscle is tightened to keep the knee straight and the ankle in neutral position, slowly raise the leg for several inches and keep it in that position for five to 10 seconds and then gently lower the leg. Repeat the following steps as necessary.
- Toe Raise
o Keep the feet at shoulders width apart and slowly raise the toes on one foot but avoid shifting the hips. Then slowly lower the toes. Repeat the same steps on the other foot.
- Standing Knee Bends
o With the help of a walker or crutches, stand erect and keep both ankles in neutral position. Lift the thigh up and bend the knee only as much as one tolerates. Keep the thigh and knee in this position for five to 10 seconds and slowly lower the leg on the floor with the heel first. Repeat these steps as tolerated.
- Chair Stands
o Find a chair that will keep the hip in a right angle and sit but keep the body straight forward. Keep the feet in shoulders width apart and slowly stand up from the chair and then slowly sit back down again. The leg will support the weight while standing up. Repeat the steps as necessary.
After the operation, patients are assessed and educated on how to safely use the new hip by the physical therapist. Range of motion and muscle strengthening activities are the basic in physical therapy. These exercises may help patients recover safely and avoid complications. The DePuy hip recall has led some patients to believe that they need to be wary of the implants used in their hip replacement operation.
URL References:
medicine.missouri.edu/ortho/Bal/docs/hip-exercises.pdf
niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Hip_Replacement/hip_replacement_ff.asp#exercise
Here are some of the recommended hip strengthening exercises before and after the operation, according to the University of Missouri Health System School of Medicine:
- Straight Leg Lifts
o Lying on one’s back, bend the unoperated while keeping the operated leg straight. The thigh muscle is tightened to keep the knee straight and the ankle in neutral position, slowly raise the leg for several inches and keep it in that position for five to 10 seconds and then gently lower the leg. Repeat the following steps as necessary.
- Toe Raise
o Keep the feet at shoulders width apart and slowly raise the toes on one foot but avoid shifting the hips. Then slowly lower the toes. Repeat the same steps on the other foot.
- Standing Knee Bends
o With the help of a walker or crutches, stand erect and keep both ankles in neutral position. Lift the thigh up and bend the knee only as much as one tolerates. Keep the thigh and knee in this position for five to 10 seconds and slowly lower the leg on the floor with the heel first. Repeat these steps as tolerated.
- Chair Stands
o Find a chair that will keep the hip in a right angle and sit but keep the body straight forward. Keep the feet in shoulders width apart and slowly stand up from the chair and then slowly sit back down again. The leg will support the weight while standing up. Repeat the steps as necessary.
After the operation, patients are assessed and educated on how to safely use the new hip by the physical therapist. Range of motion and muscle strengthening activities are the basic in physical therapy. These exercises may help patients recover safely and avoid complications. The DePuy hip recall has led some patients to believe that they need to be wary of the implants used in their hip replacement operation.
URL References:
medicine.missouri.edu/ortho/Bal/docs/hip-exercises.pdf
niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Hip_Replacement/hip_replacement_ff.asp#exercise