Joint Replacement

Hip exercise

Grand River Physiotherapy / The Harrington Physiotherapy Clinic is pleased to provide the rehabilitation for both total knee and hip replacement post-surgery for the Cambridge region. Find out more information below.

  1. Print the Patient Exercise Guide for Knee Replacement Surgery and bring to it all your appointments.

  2. Icing
    • Recommended to elevate and pump your ankles to help reduce swelling
  3. Progression of Weight Bearning when Walking
    • Typically knee prostheses are cemented in place. This means your weight bearing status is “weight bearing as tolerated” and you can progress your gait aids as appropriate.
    • You can progress from a walker to a cane to no gait aid as your tolerance suggests. You should have good active knee straightening (extension) before getting rid of your cane so you feel stable without any aids.
    • If you have an uncemented knee prosthesis then you must use a walker for 4 weeks followed by a cane for another 2 weeks.
  4. Night Brace
    • If your surgeon has prescribed a Zimmer splint for you to wear at night, then you should wear it for 4 weeks when you go to bed in order to keep your knee straight and improve.
  5. Driving
    • Driving is at the discretion of the surgeon. Generally it is suggested that you not drive for 6 weeks. You must be able to hit the brake hard and be off any narcotics as drugs would impede your reaction time. Return to driving depends on which knee you have had replaced be it left or right and whether you drive a standard or an automatic transmission vehicle.
  6. Range of Motion
    • The most important aspect of your rehabilitation at the early stages of 0-6 weeks is the effort you put into getting your knee to bend and straighten. Your goal is to achieve 90° of bend by the end of week 2 and 115° to 120° by the end of 4 to 6 weeks.
    • You can also begin to ride a stationary bike with no tension 2 weeks after surgery.
    • It's generally recommended to ice 10 to 20 mins 3 to 4 times a day
    • It is also recommended to elevate and pump your ankles to help reduce swelling

  1. Print the Patient Exercise Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery and bring to it all your appointments.

  2. Progression of Weight Bearning when Walking
    • Typically hip prostheses are uncemented. This means you cannot put your full weight on your new hip for 6 weeks as you have to give time for the bone to grow around the prosthesis which will stabilize the replacement pieces.
    • You need to use two crutches or a walker for at least four weeks post-surgery a single crutch is required or cane for at least two more weeks.
    • If your hip prosthesis is cemented then you can discuss weight bearing progression with your surgeon or physiotherapist.
  3. Movement Restrictions for 3 Months
    • A total hip replacement requires cutting the strong capsule of the hip joint which helps prevent the hip from dislocating.
    • If the back of the capsule is cut which happens in a posterior approach then there is a higher likelihood of a posterior or backward dislocation when you bring your knee toward your chest (flex your hip).
    • If the side of the capsule is cut then there is a higher likelihood of a dislocation with a movement such as crossing your legs. No lifting your thigh beyond 90°. It takes about 3 months for the capsule to heal.
    • If the front of the capsule is cut which is caller an anterior approach there are no real movement restrictions
  4. Driving
    • Driving is at the discretion of the surgeon. Generally it is suggested that you not drive for 6 weeks.

  1. Print the Patient Exercise Guide for Reverse Total Shoulder Arthoplasty and bring to it all your appointments.

  2. Progression of range of motion to be discussed with physiotherapist or surgeon
  3. Precautions

    • 0 to 6 Weeks
      • Support arm with pillow while lying on back
      • No active R.O.M.
      • No shoulder motion behind back
      • No abduction of combined iwth I.R./E.R. or extension
      • No G.H. extension beyond neutral
      • No lifting or excessive HBB
      • No driving for 3 weeks
    • 6 to 12 Weeks
      • No lifting involved arm
      • Avoid acromion stress
      • Avoid repetitive A.R.O.M.
      • No lifting over 2 lbs
      • Avoid shoulder hyperextension
    • 12+ Weeks
      • No sudden moving, lifting, or pushing
      • No lifting over 6 lbs

  1. Print the Patient Exercise Guide for Total Shoulder Arthroplasty and bring to it all your appointments.

  2. Progression of range of motion to be discussed with physiotherapist or surgeon
  3. Precautions

    • 0 to 6 Weeks
      • Wear a for sling 4-6 weeks
      • Use a pillow for support while lying on your back
      • Avoid shoulder hyperextension/anterior capsule stretch
      • Protect subscapularis for 4 weeks
      • No ER past 30 degrees for 4 weeks
      • No lifting or excessive HBB
      • No driving for 3 weeks
    • 4 to 6 Weeks
      • Wear a sling while sleeping - gradually remove over 2 weeks
      • Avoid A.R.O.M. against gravity
      • No lifting heavier than a coffee cup
      • No supporting body weight or performing sudden jerking movements
    • 6 to 12 Weeks
      • No lifting heavier than 3kg
      • No sudden lifting/pushing/jerking movements
    • 12+ Weeks
      • Avoid exercise with lifting/pushing/jerking motions