How does prehabilitation improve hip replacement recovery?

Prehabilitation, or prehab, is a programme of physical activity, nutritional support and mental preparation designed to improve your health before surgery. Before a hip replacement, it aims to strengthen the muscles, improve mobility and prepare you for the physical demands of the operation and subsequent rehabilitation.

What are the benefits of prehabilitation before hip replacement surgery?

The main benefits of prehabilitation include:

• Faster recovery: strengthening the muscles around the hip can help you regain mobility after surgery.
• Easier use of crutches: improving upper body strength and the strength of your non-operated leg can make using mobility aids easier.
• Fewer postoperative complications: improving your general fitness before surgery may help your body cope with the physical demands of the procedure.
• Greater confidence: understanding the recovery process and practising movements beforehand can reduce anxiety and help you feel more prepared.
• Improved independence: maintaining strength and energy can support your return to everyday activities.

What does a hip replacement prehabilitation programme involve?

A hip replacement prehabilitation programme combines targeted exercises, nutritional support and preparation for surgery, usually starting four to six weeks before the operation. The aim is to improve your physical condition while helping you understand what to expect during recovery.

The main components include:

• Muscle strengthening: low-impact exercises targeting the glutes, quadriceps, core and hip abductors.
• Mobility and flexibility: gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises to maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness.
• Cardiovascular fitness: activities such as stationary cycling or swimming to improve stamina.
• Nutrition and lifestyle: eating a balanced, protein-rich diet, staying hydrated, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake.
• Mental and educational preparation: learning about the surgical process, early recovery and the use of crutches or a walking frame.

A programme typically begins with an assessment of your current health and fitness, followed by home exercises or guided sessions around two to three times a week.

Which exercises can you do before a hip replacement?

Hip replacement prehabilitation exercises focus on improving muscle strength and mobility through controlled, low-impact movements. The exercises should be adapted to your individual abilities and symptoms, ideally following an assessment by a specialist.

Common exercises include:

• Lying down: buttock squeezes, quadriceps squeezes, straight leg raises, heel slides and glute bridges.
• Sitting on a chair: sit-to-stands and chair push-ups to practise functional movements and build strength.
• Standing with support: hip abductions, which involve moving the leg out to the side, and ankle exercises.

It is important to listen to your body and avoid movements that cause pain. A specialist can assess your baseline fitness and tailor the exercises to your needs before surgery.

When should you start prehabilitation before hip replacement surgery?

Prehabilitation usually begins around four to six weeks before a scheduled hip replacement, although some programmes start four to eight weeks beforehand. Starting early provides time to build strength, improve fitness and prepare for the practical challenges of postoperative recovery.

The programme should be tailored to your current mobility, fitness and individual circumstances rather than following a fixed routine.

Is prehabilitation necessary before hip replacement surgery?

Prehabilitation is not mandatory before hip replacement surgery, and patients can still have a successful operation without following a formal programme. However, improving your physical condition beforehand can help you prepare for rehabilitation and may support a smoother recovery.

The principle is to improve your baseline health before surgery, much as an athlete trains before a race. Building strength, maintaining mobility and preparing mentally can help you approach the operation in a better physical and psychological condition.

If you are considering prehabilitation before hip replacement surgery, book a consultation with Mr Rohit Jain through his Top Doctors profile.