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Exercise Guides for Hip and Knee Replacement

Download these physical therapy guides and workout schedules to jumpstart your recovery at home!
Hip Exercise VideoKnee Exercise Video

Exercises Before Hip or Knee Surgery

Low-impact exercises help to relieve stiffness and pain associated with an arthritic joint. Exercising before surgery will help strengthen your muscles in addition to getting you mentally ready for the recovery process by familiarizing you with some common exercises after surgery. Download/print this conditioning program and watch this informational video. Español version, please click here.

Gait Training After Joint Replacement

Gait refers to your pattern of walking. Normal walking should be consistent, effortless, and pain free. When you have a bad hip or knee, your gait can change, leading to more pain and requiring more energy to get from one point to another. Download and print this conditioning program in English, covering several exercises and stretches to help relieve pain. Español version, please click here.


Knee Replacement Home Therapy Exercises

Get step-by-step instructions along with photos of exercises you can do in the 12 weeks after your knee surgery. This physical therapy program is divided into three phases starting with warm ups and gradually expanding into strengthening, endurance and balance. Download and print the guide. Español version, please click here. Hindi version, please click here


Knee Exercise Schedule Worksheet

Keep track of your knee workouts and record your progress. Download the schedule. Español version, please click here.


Hip Replacement Home Therapy Exercises

Get step-by-step instructions along with photos of exercises you can do in the 12 weeks after your hip surgery. This physical therapy program is divided into three phases starting with warm ups and gradually expanding into strengthening, endurance and balance. Download and print the guide. Español version, please click here. Hindi version, please click here. 

Hip Exercise Schedule Worksheet

Keep track of your hip workouts and record your progress. Download and print the schedule. Español version, please click here.


Low Back Pain Exercises

Low back pain is a common condition in people who have hip and/or knee arthritis. Due to a change in the way you walk and potentially limited motion of an arthritic joint, a bad hip or knee can lead to or aggravate back pain. Similarly, if you have had a hip or knee replacement, the increased activity and demands during recovery can exacerbate low back pain. Download and print this general low back conditioning program covering several exercises to keep your muscles working properly. Español version, please click here.


Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendinopathy comes from repetitive overuse activities, such as running, jumping, or squatting. Microscopic tears within the tendon can become irritated, leading to inflammation and weakness known as patellar tendonitis. Download and print this conditioning program covering several exercises and stretches to help relieve pain. Español version, please click here.


Pes Anserine Knee Bursitis Exercises

Pes anserine bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa around the knee tendons and shinbone. When the small sacs of fluid called bursa become irritated, they can swell and put pressure on the knee, causing pain. It is typically caused by overuse of the joint and is common in athletes, particularly runners, and in patients with osteoarthritis. Download and print this conditioning program covering several exercises and stretches to help relieve pain. Español version, please click here.


Exercises for Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

The Iliotibial (IT) band is a thick “band” of tissue that runs along the outer part of the thigh from the pelvis to the top of the shinbone. The IT band can become irritated as the knee rubs back and forth over the end of the thigh bone, or top part of your knee replacement. Continued irritation can lead to inflammation causing pain, tenderness, and swelling over the outside portion of your knee. Pain in this area has come to be known as Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS). Download and print these exercises and stretches to help relieve pain associated with ITBS. Español version, please click here. 

Trochanteric Bursitis Exercises

Trochanteric pain is often caused from irritation of the trochanteric bursa and surrounding tendons on the side of the hip.  A patient with an arthritic or replaced hip can also experience pain in this area.  In rare cases the pain can be caused from a torn tendon or be related to pain from the low back.  Today these conditions have been grouped together and are now called Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome (GTPS)Download and print this conditioning program covering several exercises and stretches to help relieve pain. Español version, please click here.


Iliopsoas Tendonitis/Bursitis Exercises

The iliopsoas is a muscle that runs from your lower back through the pelvis to attach to a small bump (the lesser trochanter) on the top portion of the thighbone near your groin. Iliopsoas issues may feel like “a pulled groin muscle”. Conservative treatment in the form of stretching and strengthening usually helps with the majority of patients with iliopsoas bursitis. Download and print this conditioning program covering several exercises and stretches to help relieve pain. Español version, please click here.

 


These articles have been written and peer reviewed by the AAHKS Patient and Public Relations Committee and the AAHKS Evidence Based Medicine Committee. The lead author is Matthew W. Bullock, DO, MPT.

Links to these pages or content used from the articles must be given proper citation to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

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