Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant. Hip replacement surgery can be performed as a total replacement or a hemi (half) replacement. Such joint replacement orthopaedic surgery is generally conducted to relieve arthritis pain or in some hip fractures.

Can Pilates help if you’ve had a hip replacement?

Pilates is the ultimate rehabilitation workout for these clients. Prior to surgery they lived with pain for many years, sometimes even decades. This pain created compensation strategies in their bodies that won’t be fixed by simply replacing the joint. Even though the pain is gone now, the body is still used to moving as if it were protecting the painful area. Plus the limited range of motion in the joint as well as the “unnatural” sensation experienced by some of the post-replacement population makes regular daily activities as well as traditional exercise more challenging and sometimes even dangerous.

Can Yoga help if you’ve had a hip replacement?

You participate a very mindful yoga practice after hip replacement surgery as long as you have been cleared by your doctor or therapist and alert the yoga teacher to your current situation. Yoga can become a very important part of recovery therapy as it will help strengthen the muscles crossing the hip joint and enhance range of motion gradually as practice continues. The combination of breathing into the hip space and soft, fluid, and mindful movements will be beneficial in your recovery, building mobility, and feeling safe in knowing your current abilities.