Exercises That Will Help You Regain Mobility After Joint Replacement

Regaining mobility after a joint replacement can be a challenge. Luckily, there are many exercises you can do at home to help get your strength back after a knee or hip replacement. Whether you’ve received a total or partial joint replacement, there is still a lot of work to be done to regain mobility with the help of your physical therapist or surgeon.

Here are a few exercises that can help you regain your range of motion and strength after a joint replacement procedure.

Exercises Following Knee Replacement

Heel Slides

For this exercise, you will lie on your back and slide your heel toward your buttocks, bending your surgical knee. You can also use a bed sheet to wrap around your foot and help you slide your heel. Hold the position for several seconds and gradually slide the heel away from your body. Repeat several times.

Straight Leg Raises

Lie on your back with both legs straight, then bend your non-surgical knee. Keep your surgical knee straight and tight, and slowly lift your leg to the level of your bent knee. You’ll want to keep your back flat on the ground without arching your lower back. Repeat several times.

Seated Knee Flexion

Sit on a chair with both feet flat on the floor and place a towel under your surgical leg. Slide your foot back, bend your surgical knee, and hold for 5 seconds. Then slide your foot forward. Repeat several times.

Seated Knee Extension

Sit on the edge of a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Slowly raise your surgical knee to the height of your other knee. Repeat 10 times and do 2 sets a day.

Exercises Following Hip Replacement

Hip Abduction/Adduction

Lie on your back on the floor. Keep both legs and knees straight with your toes pointed toward the ceiling. Slide your surgical leg out to the side and back to the middle, without letting your surgical leg cross the midline of your body. Repeat several times.

Standing Knee Raises

Stand with a chair in front of you and hold onto the chair with both hands. Lift your surgical leg toward your chest, without lifting your leg higher than your waist. Hold for a count of 3 and lower your leg down. Repeat several times.

Standing Hip Extension

Stand with a chair in front of you and hold onto the chair with one or both hands. Lift your surgical leg back and away from you slowly with your back straight. Hold for a count of 3 and return your foot to the floor. Repeat several times.

Bridges

Lie on your back with both legs bent and your back flat on the ground. Keeping your hands at your sides, lift your buttocks off the ground, tightening your leg and abdominal muscles. Keep lifting as high as you can. Your stomach should be in line with your knees. Hold for a count of 5 seconds and return to the starting position with your back and buttocks flat on the ground. Repeat several times.

Joint Replacement Specialists In St. Charles County, MO

The qualified team of doctors and nurse practitioners at Advanced Bone & Joint are here to help you regain strength and mobility after joint replacement. We have three convenient locations in St. Peters, O’Fallon, and Wentzville and also offer telehealth appointments.

For questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our providers, call our office today at (636) 229-4222 or use our secure online appointment request form. Our friendly staff looks forward to serving you.