The hip joint is a very stable ball and socket joint with only few ligaments surrounding it.
It is however protected by the large Gluteal muscles and relies particularly on its stability while walking and running on the gluteus medius muscle.
As the quality of surgery has improved over the last forty years, the trauma to the surrounding muscles has greatly reduced. As such rehabilitation after a Total Hip Replacement is far less difficult then other large joint replacements.
Mobility of the hip gradually returns as the surrounding soft tissues heals As such it doesn’t need to be forced.
The most important goal of rehabilitation is the increase in strength and endurance of the Gluteus Medius muscle, thus restoring lateral hip stability. Also Gluteus maximus, quadricepts and hamstring strength are important.
Strengthen exercises start immediately post–op with gentle home exercises.
Once the wound has healed Hydrotherapy exercises begin and then this is progressed to gentle Gym based strengthening exercises.
Gradually as healing takes place, and the patient progresses, so does the intensity of their exercises program. Gait retraining is also essential.
Usually after twelve weeks the patient is fully independent and functional.
Early and correct management following injury or surgery can greatly reduce rehabilitation and recovery time
