Total Hip Replacement (THR)
Home Exercises
Total Hip Replacement (Do’s and Don’ts):
Certain positions can cause excessive stress to your new hip joint and can even cause it to dislocate or “pop”
out of joint. It is very important that you avoid the following positions to ensure the safety of your total new
joint.
1. DO NOT bend your hip past 90 degrees, or at a right angle.
2. DO NOT cross your legs while lying, sitting or standing.
3. DO NOT let your legs roll in ward or, in other words, do not let your toes point toward each other.
Carefully follow your weight bearing guidelines as directed by your doctor:
_____ Non Weight Bearing = keep leg off the ground
_____ Touch-Down Weight Bearing = touch foot to ground for balance only
_____ Partial Weight Bearing = usually one-fourth to one-half body weight
_____ Weight Bearing As Tolerated = as much as comfortable
These precautions need to be followed during all activities throughout the day. Continue to follow these
precautions until your doctor allows you to stop. You may have a knee immobilizer or abduction pillow on your
leg when you come out of surgery. This is to prevent you from bending your hip or crossing your legs. Your
doctor will let you know how often and when you should wear your knee immobilizer or pillow.

General Exercise Instructions: Do only those exercises with the box
checked as recommended by
therapist unless specified otherwise by ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON.
 Sitting Push-Ups
Purpose:
To strengthen your shoulders and arms.
Position:
Sit forward in a chair with sturdy armrests or in a wheelchair. Place your hands on the armrests
or on the top of the wheels of a wheelchair. Be sure brakes are locked.
Action:
Lean forward from the waist. Push down with your arms and lift your bottom up off the chair.
Hold.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Sit To Stand (one leg in front)
Purpose:
To stand without putting weight on your surgical leg.
Position:
Scoot forward in your chair. Bend your "good' leg under you. Keep your surgical leg out in front.
Action:
Lean forward at your waist. Your face should be above your 'good' foot. Push up off the armrest
with your arms while remaining bent at the waist. Straighten your leg, and then straighten your
body as you reach for the walker.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Dorsiflexion / Plantarflexion
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a sturdy surface high enough that your feet don't touch the floor.
Pull the top of your foot up toward your knee as far as possible. Hold for five seconds.
Push your foot down as far as possible.
Hold for five seconds and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Quad Set
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a firm, flat surface with your hands behind you for support.
Bend your uninvolved leg, keeping the involved leg straight
Straighten out the involved leg as much as possible, tightening the muscles on top of your thigh.
Hold for five seconds, and then relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Glut Sets
1.
2.
3.
4.
Recline on your back, supported by your elbows.
Keep both legs straight
Squeeze your buttocks together as tightly as possible.
Hold for five seconds and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Hip and Knee Flexion
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lie on your back with your legs out straight and relaxed.
Keep your kneecaps pointed toward the ceiling throughout the exercise.
Slide one foot toward your buttocks, bending the knee and hip.
Slowly return to the starting position.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Hip Abduction, Back Lying
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lie on your back.
Keep both legs straight, and your toes pointed toward the ceiling throughout the exercise.
Move your involved leg out to the side as far as possible.
Slowly return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Short Arc Quad
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a firm, flat surface with your hands behind you for support.
Place a rolled towel under your knee to bend it about six inches.
Raise your foot until your knee is straight.
Hold for five seconds, and then relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Long Arc Quads
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a sturdy surface high enough that your feet don't touch the floor.
Grip the sides of the surface for support.
Straighten your knee completely (or degrees).
Return to starting position and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions: