How can you make activities work for you? By finding ones that you enjoy and get something from, and learning how to make them easier to do after a joint replacement.

See "Modifying Common Activities" for a list of some popular activities, with suggestions of how to modify them to suit your needs.  Included on that list are exercise classes; for much more detailed guidelines on joining those classes after a hip replacement, see "Joining an Exercise Class".

Certain movements can become more challenging or may be off limits due to your replacement.  Here are some general guidelines that can apply to a number of activities: 

• It’s especially important to ask your surgeon about movement and activity restrictions.  Unlike knee replacements, restrictions after a hip replacement vary for a number of reasons, including your type of hip implant, your surgery (what muscles the surgeon had to go through), and whether you’ve had your hip replacement revised.
• Generally not recommended – crossing your leg past the midline of your body, doing forceful repeated end-range bending of your thigh-to-trunk motions (e.g. aggressive rowing), or forcing rotation after a hip replacement.
• Getting down to and up from the floor – using a wall, chair, footstool or aerobic step may help.

Still have questions?

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