Exercise

Snowbunny

Hello could you recommend some safe exercises I can do while waiting for a physio appointment, which could be a long wait! I was diagnosed with mild osteoarthritis in both hips about 3 weeks ago and am quite a lot of pain even with codeine and paracetemol. I feel I should be doing something whilst waiting but don’t want to make things worse. I’m 55. Thankyou.

Poppyjane

Hello @Snowbunny

I hope these exercises will help you. Just start gently and after a few tries you will be surprised that it will become easier. ( Well it did for me!)

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-hips/

Poppyjane ( Moderator)

helpline_team

Hi @Snowbunny

Thank you for posting on the helpline forum. I’m sorry you are in pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) in your hips.

As you will have read on the link @Poppyjane shared with you (thanks Poppyjane), you’re right to be seeking to do some gentle exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint as you wait your physiotherapy appointment. Many people worry about making things worse so it’s reassuring to know that the core treatment for osteoarthritis is exercise. 

You may also find the information here helpful. Do follow the link in OA of the hip to the general information on osteoarthritis too, where there is an animation that explains the process of "wear and repair".

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-hip/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/august/how-to-adapt-when-you-ve-been-diagnosed-with-arthritis/

You are very welcome to call us on our freephone helpline: 0800 5200 520 so you can talk things through with one of our helpline team. 

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Mags

Helpline Team