Total Hip Replacement - Exercises 4-6 Weeks After Surgery

Total Hip Replacement Exercises: 4–6 Weeks After Surgery

At 4–6 weeks after a total hip replacement, you may be ready to gradually increase your movement, strength, balance, and walking while continuing to follow your surgeon’s hip precautions. In this phase of the Total Hip Replacement Fitness Program, physical therapist assistants Alex and Mike demonstrate exercises designed to help you safely progress your recovery.

The goals during this stage are to improve hip range of motion and strength, restore balance, and normalize your walking pattern. Start slowly with about 1 set of 10 repetitions and gradually increase your repetitions or sets as you become stronger and more comfortable.

Exercises may include:

• Knee Glide, FitGLIDE, or towel slides

• Ball or pillow squeezes for the inner thigh muscles

• Side-lying clamshells

• Bridge progressions

• Straight leg raises

• Standing hip hikes

• Mini squats, hip abduction, heel and toe raises, and other standing hip exercises

• Stationary biking with a raised seat and low resistance

• Walking with even weight bearing through both legs

  
  

Your specific precautions can vary depending on your surgery and whether you had an anterior or posterior approach. Always follow your surgeon’s recommendations and avoid exercises that have not yet been cleared for you.

Watch the video above to see Alex and Mike demonstrate each exercise step-by-step, explain proper form, and show how to safely progress your total hip replacement exercises 4–6 weeks after surgery.