Exercises after Anterior Total Hip Replacement

Exercises after Anterior Total Hip Replacement


Your therapist will teach you some exercises that you need to do before you leave the hospital. Other exercises should be started weeks after your surgery. Follow these guidelines unless you were given different directions from your doctor or therapist.

For all exercises

  • Follow the direction of your doctor or therapist for these exercises.
  • You may need help with these exercises at first. Have a family member come to the hospital to work with you and your therapist to learn how to help you when you go home.
  • Exercise 3 times each day. Do 10 to 15 repetitions of each exercise.
  • Do all exercises slowly with smooth motion.

Exercises to be started right away

Ankle Pumping - This exercise can be done while lying in bed or sitting in a chair.

  1. Move your foot up and down as if pushing down or letting up on a gas pedal in a car. 
  2. Repeat 10 to 15 times. 
  3. Do this exercise with the other foot.
Ankle pumping sitting down

Hip Flexion - Use a plastic trash bag or a piece of cardboard under your leg to reduce friction. A small towel under your heel may also help.

  1. Lie on your back and slide your heel toward your buttocks, bending your knee up. Do not lift your heel off of the surface. Keep your knee pointed toward the ceiling, so you do not turn your leg in or out. 
  2. Pause and then slide your heel forward and straighten your knee.
Hip flexion exercise

Hip Abduction - Use a plastic trash bag or a piece of cardboard under your leg to reduce friction. A small towel under your heel may also help.

  1. Lie on your back with your legs straight. Have your toes pointed to the ceiling. 
  2. Slide your surgery leg out to the side, like opening a pair of scissors.
  3. Pause and then slide your leg back to the starting position. Do not cross the midline of your body.
Hip abduction exercise lying down

Short Arc Quads (blanket roll or coffee can exercise)

  1. Place a blanket roll or 3 pound coffee can under the knee of your surgery leg.
  2. Resting your thigh on the roll or can, lift your heel off of the bed and straighten your knee as much as you can.
  3. Pause and then lower your heel down to the starting position.

This exercise can also be done on your other leg.

Short arc quads exercise lying down

Start these exercises 1 week after surgery or as directed by your doctor or therapist. Advance your exercises only as directed.

Leg Forward - Use a counter, steady table, or chair for support for this exercise. Stand up straight and be sure the motion is from your hip.

  1. Tighten the muscles in the front of your upper leg or thigh.
  2. Keeping the muscles tight and your knee straight, lift your leg forward.
  3.  Hold and then lower your leg to the starting position.
  4.  Relax and repeat.
Leg forward standing up

Straight Leg Raise - Lying

  1. Lie on your back with your surgery leg straight. Your other leg should be bent at the knee with the foot flat on the floor.
  2. Slowly raise your leg off of the bed about 12 to 24 inches, keeping the knee straight.
  3. Hold and then lower your leg slowly to the starting position.
  4. Relax and repeat.
Straight leg exercise lying down

Side Leg Lift

  1. Lie on your side with your surgery leg on top.* Place a pillow between your legs. Bend your lower leg for support if needed.
  2. Keep your top leg straight and lift it about 12 inches, keeping the hip very slightly forward.
  3. Hold and then lower the leg to the starting position.
  4. Relax and repeat.

* If the side lying position is too difficult, you can do this exercise while standing. No pillow would be needed.

side leg lift lying down on lfoor using pillow

© 2017 – November 30, 2017, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.