Hi everyone, my first post. Found some great information on the forum and hope to become a regular.
Did some searching and found several threads on hip replacements but most dealt with post surgery recovery.
In my case after too many years of running marathons I am having a THR in a few weeks. Any recommendations on hip strengthening exercises before surgery?
I figure the better shape I am in before surgery the quicker recovery I will have.
I had to cut back on my riding this year but did manage about 2k miles so I am in reasonably good bike riding shape. Of course the winter weather and snow doesn't help

thank you

Before you get all wild and crazy talk to your ortho doc to get the info he/she wants you to follow. Then ignore any other advice lest you add damage control to your ortho doc's job.

Ask your doc if s/he can give you a prescription for PT. Maybe your insurance will pay with a prescription. If not it will be tax deductible.

FYI: my doc had me do 4 weeks of PT before rotator cuff surgery to strengthen my shoulder.

OP is asking about preoperative exercise.

Our YMCA has a variety of weight machines that work on various muscle groups in the vicinity of the hips. Have access to that kind of equipment?

I've had both hips replaced. The 1st in 1994 and the 2nd was done last August. You have the right idea. Strong muscles pre-op can really help post-op. Unfortunately, damaged hips make it hard to do the exercises that target those groups. For me the bike worked well. It is low impact and I could stay on the bike much longer than I could walk or do other weight-bearing activities. But don't stress too much about it. You will wake up from the surgery and that pain you've been living with will be gone. You will have post-op pain, but that familiar ache will be gone. You will be chomping at the bit to finally ride/live pain-free. When your Doc clears you for biking go for it. You're gonna love it.

If you're over weight, lose as much weight as you reasonably can. Other than that, consult your ortho. Your concept of pre-op prep sounds like the right way to go, as does RonH's experience.

Stretch stretch stretch... And then stretch...

Of all the things I have seen my patients do before surgery this is the proven most valuable thing they did...

Somehow get an electric Lift Reclining Chair!!!

If you have to rent one... (this is just a pic - I am not really recomending this site - Check locally if you are going to rent one cause they cost about $1200.00 new - Often you can get a renta center to order one for you - You will need for at least 2 months)

https://www6.rentacenter.com/rent/fur...eclining-chair

I know that which is why i suggest that the op ortho doc guide his patients pre-op workouts.

Some people!!

When my wife had her knees scoped, I bought her a folding, reclining camp chair from REI. https://www.rei.com/product/812205/re...unger-xl-chair

When you're sitting, your legs are elevated. When you want to get up, you can lower the front of the chair (leg rest) and get your good leg under you for getting up on your feet. Hip is tougher than knee though, so the electric chair may be better. Or, you could just go lethal injection.

Thanks for all the input. I have surgery in 3 weeks and looking forward to getting back on my bike with my docs ok of course. In the meantime, exercising and building up as much strength as possible.
I wish I had reduced my running and done a few less marathons so I wouldn't be in this situation. On a positive note, my inability to run resulted in finding out how cool bike riding is.

My Licensed Professional, Physical Therapist said: [insert your quotation, here]

Well had my total hip replacement surgery last Wednesday and was home by Friday on crutches.
I was fortunate enough to have the newer and less invasive "anterior" procedure which is making a difference in recovery. (in a good way).
With all the snow we've had this winter I'm hoping I won't loose too many weeks of riding this year.

Good that you got it in your rear view mirror! Good luck with rehab.

Still .. ASK YOUR DOCTOR to avoid further damage. If he is having hip surgery .. it's for a very good reason and IMO should not ask for advice on an internet forum. We have no idea what his medical history is, but his doctor does.

Thanks for looking out for me. I am having home therapy now and will begin outpatient therapy ordered by my surgeon starting in a couple of weeks. I only asked about pre-op exercises to help strengthen the hip area. Had lots of informed input that I ran by my surgeon. Trying to be careful now not to over due anything which is the advise everyone is giving me especially my therapist.

You are most welcome sir. I am healing from a fractured pelvis. I hope to be back on my bikes soon, probably begin with my Pugsley Fat-Bike for safety. Yup .. stick with the advice your doctor is giving you and GOOD LUCK !!

Didn't read all the posts, but same (2008/2009). I thought I had done enough exercise before the first, but the second, one of the operating room assistants talked to me afterward and said that this operation was one of the easiest he had assisted on because of fitness level (not that I am not that fit). He told me that lean muscle is much easier for them to work thru (as in move out of the way instead of cutting thru it because they couldn't discern what was what). And these were minimally invasive anterior replacements. Unless your ortho has told you otherwise, the more exercise the better in my experience.

OOPS. Looks like you already had the surgery and you seem to be progressing well! Best wishes!

I was told exactly the same thing by my surgeon. He said my level of fitness and additional exercising I did before the operation was really helpful. He does a lot of sports medicine and said patients who do a lot of bike riding typically do better in recovery. 12 days since the operation and just using a cane. Hoping to get back on the bike in 6-8 weeks. By then the snow should be gone with good weather. Looking forward to getting on the bike without having to lay it down on its side which is how I had to get on last year.

Well it is 6 weeks since I had surgery and recovery is going well. I had the newer anterior method which sure makes for a quicker recovery. I had surgery on a Wednesday and was home Friday morning. Two weeks ago my surgeon said I could go for a ride "around the neighborhood but no twenty mile rides". He was half serious but I promised him I'd wait until 8 weeks after surgery before that 20 mile ride. Riding up to an hour a day on a stationery bike now without any pain and hoping we get a little warmer weather in two weeks when I go for my first real ride.

Good progress!