What Can I Expect from Hip Physiotherapy?

If you are about to undergo hip physiotherapy, you can expect to have a personalized therapy program designed for you after an initial evaluation. Most likely, you will be taught various rehabilitation exercises to strengthen your hip and increase flexibility. You may perform your exercises with the use of special equipment, typically under the guidance of a trained physical therapist. After you master the techniques, you will probably be given instruction on completing your hip physiotherapy at home.

Hip physiotherapy is typically designed as a post-operative program to help patients recover after hip surgery. In many cases, patients are also referred to a licensed physiotherapist to help them regain strength and mobility after an accident. The length of your rehabilitation program will depend upon the rate at which you heal and recover, as well as the extent of your injury. Most likely, you will be scheduled for sessions once or twice a week. Your therapy sessions will typically last 30 minutes to an hour.

During your initial visit to a licensed physiotherapist, you may asked to walk a short distance, so your therapist can evaluate your gait. Your therapist may also take measurements to make an accurate diagnosis. He will keep a detailed record of your limitations. For instance, he will note whether you have difficulty climbing stairs or standing for any length of time.

Before you begin hip physiotherapy, your physical therapist will evaluate your current condition and assess your capabilities. He may ask you when you first began to experience hip pain or loss of mobility. He'll ask you to pinpoint the area of pain, and he will check for signs of swelling.

Your physical therapist may perform something referred to as a leg extension. Your therapist may ask you to lie down on your back while he extends your leg. While lying on a therapy table, you may be asked to rotate your leg in a circular motion, to test the fluidity of the hip joint. Your physiotherapist may then recommend a series of strengthening exercises.

Over a period of time, your hip physiotherapy sessions may become less frequent. When your physiotherapist believes your inpatient rehabilitation is complete, he will discharge you from therapy. Upon being discharged, you may be given instructions to continue rehabilitation exercises at home. Your physiotherapist will then write an evaluation to be given to your primary care physician.