‘A hip replacement is a common type of surgery where a damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial one. A modern artificial hip joint is designed to last for at least 15 years. Most people experience a significant reduction in pain and some improvement in their range of movement’.
A hip replacement is a major operation which you have no doubt waited some time for. It’s important that you support your recuperation with healthy safe exercise.
The main concern is dislocating the new joint. Be careful with all hip movements.
- Rotating your thigh inwards, as if you are rolling your thighs and knees inwards towards each other.
- Bringing one leg to the opposite side of your body as you do when your cross your legs.
- Bringing your knee in towards you, so, for instance, childs pose, or pid=geon pose where there is little space at the back of your knee and little space between your thigh and body.
Yoga can help by:
- Strengthen the muscles around the hip and in turn stabilise the joint
- Increase movement around the new joint
Do
- Enjoy small gentle movements and gradually build up your strength
Don’t
- Poses exercise caution with dog pose
- Poses to avoid: childs pose, pigeon pose, eagle pose, cowface