Hydrotherapy for THR 4-6 weeks post op
All photos taken courtesy of Herongate Leisure centre Hungerford
Exercise programs written by Victoria Kerr Davies
Photography Cayford Media
WARM UP:
Walk Forwards, Backwards and Sideways across the pool with even size steps 2 in each direction
Do not use your hands.
Then Walk forwards stretching out with long even strides x
Walk forwards on tiptoes
Walk with a dip by taking a step and dip down by bending the knee of the leading leg, then push up tall.
Then Walk forwards lifting each knee up high
Walk sideways with big strides keeping feet and hips facing forwards
Then Walk sideways in a squat position- hips and knees gently bent legs apart walk sideways in this position.
Then standing facing the side of the pool place hands on the side to aid balance.
Gradually reduce support as your strength and confidence builds over 2-4 week period.
Stand tall with your weight evenly distributed.
Perform each exercises x 10 Smoothly and slowly.
Standing toe raises- Squeeze buttocks and go up onto tiptoes and down.
Now place a woggle/noodle under your non-operated foot. Hold the noodle in both hands and push down into the water to allow you to place your foot into the loop of the noodle. Then push it down to the bottom of the pool by straightening your knee
On the unoperated leg bring the knee up to the chest and down, controlling the upward movement of the noodle by keeping your knee directly over the foot
Then move the noodle to your operated side by placing the foot of the non-operated side next to the operated side. Remove the foot from the non-operated side.
As before, bring your knee up and down towards your chest being careful to control the movement and keeping the knee directly over the foot. Do not work in to pain so stop if you feel pain
With the noodle under your foot change it back to under non operated leg. Bring the hip and knee up to 90 degrees bend. Keeping the knee directly over the foot take the knee out to the side and back. Control is key- keep the pelvis facing straight forward and knee over the foot.
Do not cross over the standing leg
Change the noodle now to the operated leg and repeat the same exercise
Photo does not show the noodle.
Move the noodle to under the un-operated side. Take the straight leg out to the side keeping toes pointing forward ( lead with the heel) and keep pelvis pointing straight to the wall.
Then change to the operated side.
Picture should show a noodle under the foot
Stretch alternate straight leg out behind.
Do not lean forward.
Bend alternate knee and take your heel towards your bottom.
Keep your thigh still.
Then in the same position with knee bent to 90 degrees and toes facing the bottom of the pool push leg back and feel the stretch on the front of your thigh.
Do alternate legs
Alternate Hip hitching
Squats-Stand feet slightly apart with them flat on the floor and weight evenly placed.
Squat down and slowly up.
Now stand sideways with only a finger on the pool side to aid balance.
Keep standing tall at all times.
Repeat all these exercises facing both ways working with the leg furthest from the pool wall.
Do each exercises x 10 smoothly and slowly
Stretch straight leg out behind and swing leg forward and backward, keep upper body still.
Cycling action with leg, upper body still.
Get as large a motion as you can
Bring hip up towards a right angle and bend knee to 90 degrees. Straighten and bend knee keeping thigh horizontal.
In waist height water
Place hands flat on top of a float and press down to increase resistance if you feel able.
Dip down to a sitting position keeping your knees over your feet and stand back up. Repeat
Forward Lunges– Place one foot forward as in taking a step keeping your upper body still. Then lunge on to the forward leg by bending the knee and transferring the weight on to the forward leg. The heel of the back leg should come off the floor (your weight at this point should be on the front leg) and you will feel a stretch in the thigh of the back leg. Do both sides
Sideways lunges- Stand with feet wide apart feet facing forwards and transfer your weight sideways on to one leg by bending the knee. Keep the other leg straight. Do alternate directions
Do squats on one leg x 10 Then the other leg
The next set of exercises only to be done if you are a swimmer or confident in water.
Float with the support of water aids or float out from the pool steps.
Lie on your back
Alternately push your straight leg down towards the bottom of the pool and up.
Straight legs push apart keeping toes pointing to ceiling and pull them back together to bring inside of feet to touch.
Speed this up to get resistance from the water
Now do bicycling with your legs
Lying on your front
Alternate straight leg down and up, keep body level, do not rock.
Straight legs push apart keep toes pointing to bottom of pool, pull straight legs together to bring heels and feet to touch.
Then do Bicycling legs on your front.
Finally at the steps- Try not to hold on unless necessary.
Step ups- Step up onto and off the bottom step, trying not to pull yourself up. Then do with the other leg.
Stand on bottom step and step down one step and back up. Swop legs.
Place alternate foot on second step and lunge forward to bring knee over foot.
Stand sideways to step. Step on and off step sideways. Repeat with other leg leading.
Sit on a suitable step so that your head is comfortably out of the water and you are stable. Stand up and then sit back down again.
Warm Down: Walking pushing down a float to increase difficulty.
Walking across pool Forwards, backwards and sideways with
1. Normal Gait
2. On your tiptoes.
3. High Stepping
4. Walk with a dip
5. Then with long strides
See Early Hip for video film