Question
I am a 59 year old female and have to have hip replacement surgery this summer.  I know about the restrictions it puts on you and I am ok with all of that - just wanted to get an idea of what kind of physical therapy you get afterwards or are required to do.

Answer
First of all, you will start on a walker.  After you gain strength, you'll move to crutches and then a cane.  Eventually you'll get rid of the cane as well.

You will have a set of exercises that you'll need to do, mostly to build up the muscles that surround the replacement.  You'll start by laying on the bed and moving your legs out to the side, then bending at the knee. You'll also do straight leg lifts too. The therapist will eventually add ankle weights on you and as you get better with the exercise, you'll go to about 5 pounds of weight.  The normally start at one pound and build up from there.

You'll also do a stationery bike, and they may let you swim.

But you will start very slowly and it's important to pay attention to the restrictions.

Best of luck to you.

Sharon Davis