Hip Resurfacing Surgery: Phase 4
Phase 4: Strength Rehabilitation (3 + Months)
Important Modifications for Hip Resurfacing Patients
Strength training should be tailored to avoid excessive joint stress while still improving strength and function.
Modifications may include:
Avoiding extreme hip flexion angles initially
Gradual loading progression
Monitoring fatigue and pain response
Avoiding high-impact activities early in recovery
Individualising exercise selection based on surgical precautions
Long-term exercise is strongly encouraged to maintain mobility, bone health, muscle strength, and overall wellbeing.
Goals
Maximise strength
Improve higher-level function
Return to recreational activity
Maintain long-term joint health
Progressive Strength Training
A structured strengthening program may include:
Leg press/squat (modified depth)
Deadlift variations
Step-up/down control exercises
Functional carrying tasks
Advanced balance exercises
| Exercise | Reps | Sets | Times a week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg press | 6–10 | 3–4 | 2–3 |
| Back box squat | 6–10 | 3–4 | 2–3 |
| Hex deadlift | 6–10 | 3–4 | 2–3 |
| Romanian deadlift | 8–10 | 3 | 2–3 |
| Dumbbell split squat | 8–10 per leg | 3 | 2–3 |
| Barbell reverse split lunge | 6–8 per leg | 3 | 2–3 |
Leg press
Press through the whole foot with the back supported, controlling the descent. Depth is set to what the hip tolerates, so load can be increased without pushing into deep flexion.
Back box squat
A barbell squat to a box, which fixes depth and keeps every repetition consistent. Sit back onto the box under control, pause briefly, then drive up.
Hex deadlift
Standing inside the trap bar allows a more upright torso and less hip bend than a barbell deadlift, which usually suits a resurfaced hip better.
Romanian deadlift
Hinge from the hips with the bar tracking close to the legs and the back held long. Lower until you feel a stretch through the hamstrings, then drive the hips forward.
Dumbbell split squat
In a split stance, lower the back knee straight down while keeping the torso tall. Loads one leg at a time without the balance demand of a full single leg exercise.
Barbell reverse split lunge
Step backwards into the lunge, lower under control, then drive back to standing. Stepping back is usually more comfortable than lunging forwards after hip surgery.
For many people, regaining strength is only part of the rehabilitation journey. While strong muscles are essential, everyday activities such as preventing a trip, catching your balance, changing direction, climbing stairs, or reacting during sport require your muscles to generate force quickly.
This ability, known as power, relies heavily on the recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibres, which naturally decline with age, inactivity, and injury. Following a period of strength training, introducing a speed or power-focused phase can help retrain these fibres and improve how efficiently your muscles respond to sudden demands.
This does not necessarily mean performing high-level plyometric or ballistic exercises. Simply performing appropriate strengthening exercises with an emphasis on moving the weight quickly during the lifting phase can provide significant benefits.
Eg. Do the above exercises with less weight and do it faster!
Research shows that power training can improve balance, reduce the risk of falls, enhance athletic performance, lower injury risk, and support long-term health and independence.