Table 2 Description of conventional exercises used in total hip arthroplasty rehabilitation
Weeks postoperative | Lower-limb weight-bearing/Assistive device for walking | Description |
|---|---|---|
2 to 4 | Partial/Walker | • Stretching (30 seconds each muscle group): hip flexors, extensors, adductors; knee flexors, extensors; ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors |
• Active assisted range of motion (5 to 10 repetitions): hip flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation; knee flexion, extension | ||
• Muscle strengthening (1 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions): | ||
o Hip flexors, extensors, abductors (low-resistance rubber band fixed to the ankle in standing position) | ||
o Knee extensors (sandbag fixed to the ankle in a seated position) | ||
• Transfer training: supine to side - lying in bed; sit and stand bed and chair | ||
• Gait training using a parallel bar and assistive device | ||
4 to 6 | Total/Crutch or cane | • Stretching maintained |
• Active range of motion (5 to10 repetitions): hip flexion, extension, abduction, external rotation; knee flexion, extension | ||
• Muscle strengthening (1 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions): | ||
o hip flexors (moderate-resistance rubber band fixed to the ankle in standing position) | ||
o hip abductors (standing position and seated position with moderate-resistance rubber band) | ||
o hip extensors (bridge exercise, one- and two-footed in supine position) | ||
o knee extensors and flexors (weight-training equipment, in a seated position, 20% 1RM) | ||
• Balance and gait training: walking on an unstable surface, backward walking, side step with the use of parallel bars if necessary | ||
6 to 8 | Total/With or without cane | • Stretching maintained |
• Muscle strengthening (1 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions): | ||
o hip flexors and abductors maintained | ||
o hip extensors (bridge exercise, one- and two-footed in supine position with ball) | ||
• Climbing and descending stairs | ||
• Coordination, balance, and gait training: circuits with stairs, obstacles, changing direction, changing speed | ||
8 to 10 | Total | • All exercises maintained |
• Addition of the muscle strengthening of hip and knee extensors with squat exercises (1 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions) |