What exercises should be avoided after hip replacement?

Answer

A hip replacement becomes necessary when the cartilage in the hip joint is so badly damaged that it leads to persistent pain, stiffness, and loss of function—issues that can no longer be managed with conservative treatments such as medication, physiotherapy, or injections. The main purpose of the surgery is to relieve pain and help restore mobility and overall quality of life. Several conditions can lead to the need for a hip replacement. The most common is osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition where the protective cartilage at the ends of the bones wears away over time, leading to pain and limited movement.

Another cause is avascular necrosis (AVN), a condition in which the blood supply to the femoral head—the “ball” part of the hip joint—is reduced or cut off, causing the bone to die and collapse. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, can also lead to joint damage due to chronic inflammation. In some cases, a hip fracture—especially in older adults—may be severe enough to require joint replacement. Additionally, post-traumatic arthritis, which can develop after an injury or trauma to the hip, may result in long-term joint damage that necessitates surgery.