PHYSIOTHERAPY

One of the main factors in achieving maximum benefit from your new hip is the commitment and dedication to your physiotherapy programme. Your physiotherapist will equip you with the tools to rehabilitate to your maximum potential.

Physiotherapy Before Surgery

EXERCISE TOLERANCE

It is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that all adults should participate in 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week. This can be achieved by completing periods of exercise of at least 10 minutes. The type of exercise will depend on mobility and pain levels. E.g. Static exercise bike, walking, water based exercise. 

LEARN REHABILITATION EXERCISES

Familiarise yourself with the excercises that you will be required to do in the rehabilitation phase and practise these exercises.
This will help in strengthening your muscles before surgery and also make your rehabilitation easier for you. 

Initial Physiotherapy Treatments

Deep Breathing Exercises

Immediately following surgery you should begin deep breathing exercises. Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose so that your abdomen moves out. Hold for 5 seconds and release slowly, repeat 10 times per hour. This expands your lungs, helping to prevent lung collapse and chest infections

Foot and ankle movements

Once the sensation and movement returns in your legs you should begin gentle foot pumps (Lying in the bed pull your foot towards you and as far as you can without moving your toes and return, repeat regularly)  This helps to prevent clots forming in your legs and reduce swelling.

Ice Therapy

Cyrotherapy (Ice therapy) is sometimes used to help control pain and swelling. Do not put ice directly onto skin, use a protective cover such as a towel or pillowcase.  Use for 20 minutes at a time over the area.

Early Physiotherapy

Walking

You are allowed to fully weight bear on the operated leg (unless advised otherwise). Most patients start with a walking frame.
When walking with a frame, move the walking frame forward first.
Then move the operated leg and finally the un-operated leg. 
Turning around can be to either side but you must prevent twisting or pivoting on your new hip.
Feet must be lifted up at each step so that the operated leg is not placed too far in or out.
As your confidence, balance and strength improves, you may progress to walking with elbow crutches or walking sticks with the same stepping technique.
You will practice these until a satisfactory walking pattern is achieved. This is assessed on an individual basis and some people may remain on a walking frame
for discharge home. 

Steps & Stairs


If you could climb the stairs prior to admission for your new hip it will be a discharge goal that you will be able to do this upon discharge. This video demonstrates the technique. for climbing and descending the stairs and how a carer can help you.

Home Exercise Programme (HEP)

In order to rehabilitate your muscles and gain the most benefit from your new hip you should complete your home exercise programme 3 times per day and 10 repititions of each exercise.

It is worth printing off an exercise timetable to ensure that you are doing all the exercises required.


Your physiotherapist will create an individual programme for you. This video demonstrates a sample of exercises used to strengthen the muscles in your leg. You will recieve exercise leaflets in hospital from your physiotherapist, you will find an example of these to dowload to guide you.



Physiotherapy booklet for Total Hip Replacement
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