Ankle pumps
Pump the feet up and down to keep the blood moving.
- 20 times
- Every hour while awake
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Calf pain or swelling — tell us
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 92
After surgery on a broken pelvis or hip socket (acetabulum)
Hip & knee · After surgery on a broken bone
Count the weeks from the day of your operation. The date is on your discharge card.
If your doctor wrote a different plan on your prescription, follow that instead of this page.
A4 PDF, 0.7 MB. Free to download — no sign-up, no email address needed.
Weeks 0–2
Sit out of bed and walk with a walker from the first days, with help. The risk of a blood clot is high after this operation: keep the ankles moving and take every dose of the blood-thinning medicine we prescribe.
Weight bearing As written on your prescription. Usually only the weight of the leg resting on the floor, with a walker or crutches.
Quad sets
Sit with the leg straight. Press the back of the knee down and tighten the thigh.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh muscle tightening Should not feel: Knee pain
Buttock squeeze
Lie on your back with the legs straight. Squeeze the buttocks together, hold, then relax.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The buttocks tightening Should not feel: Back pain
Short-arc quads
Lie with a rolled towel under the knee. Lift the heel until the knee is straight, hold, then lower slowly. Take the towel away afterwards.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The front of the thigh working Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
Not yet Putting full weight on the operated side, sitting in a low chair for long, or driving. Sitting on the floor, squatting or using an Indian toilet — until we have told you it is safe.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 2–6
Stitches out. Keep walking with the walker or crutches, a little further each day. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing As written on your prescription. Still only light weight on the operated side.
Heel slides
Lie down and slide the heel up towards the buttock, bending the knee as far as you can.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
Lying hip slide out
Lie on your back, legs straight, toes pointing up. Slide the leg out to the side and back, keeping the knee straight.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: The toes rolling outwards
Sitting knee bend
Sit on a firm chair. Slide the foot back under the chair to bend the knee, hold, then bring it forward.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain
Sitting heel and toe raises
Sit with both feet flat on the floor. Lift the heels, lower them, then lift the toes.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The calf and the front of the shin working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Not yet Full weight on the operated side, or lifting. Sitting on the floor, squatting or using an Indian toilet — until we have told you it is safe.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Weight increases as the X-ray shows healing: from the walker to crutches, then a stick. Build hip strength. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing Increasing, as written on your prescription and as the X-ray shows healing.
Standing hip abduction
Hold a chair. Lift the leg out to the side, keeping the body upright.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: Leaning over
Standing hip extension
Hold a chair. Take the leg backwards, keeping it straight.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The buttock working Should not feel: Arching the back
Mini squat
Hold a support. Bend the knees a little way, then straighten.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thighs working Should not feel: Deep groin pain
Calf raises
Rise onto both toes and lower under control.
- 15 times
- Daily
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Not yet Running, jumping or heavy lifting. Sitting on the floor, squatting or using an Indian toilet — until we have told you it is safe.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Month 3 onwards
Walk without a limp and build balance and strength. Some hip ache can last for months; tell us if a groin pain keeps growing over time.
Weight bearing Full.
Step-up
Hold a rail. Step up onto a low step with the operated leg, then step down with the other leg.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Single-leg balance
Stand on one leg beside a worktop. Balance prevents falls, and preventing falls prevents fractures.
- 30 seconds
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Working to stay steady Should not feel: Losing balance — hold on
Static cycling
Set the seat high, so the knee is almost straight at the bottom. Pedal gently with little resistance.
- 10 minutes
- Daily
Should feel: The knee moving freely Should not feel: Pain in the knee or hip
Not yet Contact sport or heavy manual work until we clear you.
Stop and telephone us if
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain — go to the nearest hospital
- The calf becomes swollen, tight or painful
- New numbness or weakness in the leg, or the foot drops when you walk
- Sudden severe hip pain, or the leg looks shorter or turned
- Blood in the urine, or difficulty passing urine
- Wound redness, discharge or fever
- A fall
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.