Activity

You can weight bear as tolerated on the operative leg. Assistive devices such as a walker or cane may be used to help provide support and aid in ambulation. Patients can gradually wean off of these as they are able and develop a steady gait.

Follow the steps when walking with a crutch: The crutch goes first, then move your operative leg forward, and the healthy leg goes in the last.

Rehabilitation

You can perform the following exercises 3-5x per day to help strengthen your muscles.

Straight leg raises. While lying on your back, tighten the muscles on the top of your thigh, stiffen your knee (keep knee straight), and raise your surgical leg up. Try to hold for 5 – 10 seconds. Slowly lower your leg down, rest, and repeat.

Standing hip abduction. Be sure your hip, knee, and foot are pointing straight forward. Keep your body straight and brace yourself by holding onto a counter or back of a chair. With your knee straight, lift your surgical leg out to the side. Slowly lower your leg so your foot is back on the floor. You can also lift your leg out to the side and draw small circles with your foot (inward and outward). If this is too difficult while standing, you may perform while lying down in bed.

Precautions

Do not cross your legs or ankles. Use the abduction foam pillow given from the hospital to sleep with in between your legs at night or place a couple of pillows between your knees.
Do not bend/flex your hip past 90 degrees. This means you can’t pick something up off the floor or bend over to tie your shoes. Don’t lift your knee higher than your hip. Don’t sit on low chairs, beds, or toilets. You may want to use a raised toilet seat for a while.
Do not twist your hip inwards. Keep your knees apart. Keep your toes pointing forward or slightly out.