A total hip replacement relieves arthritic pain remarkably well — but the surgery alone does not restore your strength, balance or walking pattern. That is the job of **the exercises you do in the weeks and months afterwards**. This guide covers the exercises UK physiotherapists prescribe after hip replacement, organised by recovery phase. For the full picture of milestones and timings, see our [week-by-week hip replacement recovery timeline](/blog/hip-replacement-recovery-timeline-week-by-week). ## Before You Start: Know Your Precautions If your surgeon used the **posterior approach** (the most common in the UK), you will usually be asked to follow these precautions for 6–12 weeks: - **Do not bend your hip past 90°** — no low chairs, no bending to your feet - **Do not cross your legs** —