Exercise Physiology for Hip Replacement Rehabilitation | Beachside EP Mordialloc

Conditions — Hip Replacement Rehabilitation

Exercise Physiology for Hip Replacement

The outcome of your hip replacement is determined as much by your preparation and post-surgical rehabilitation as by the surgery itself. We see patients before surgery to build strength, and after surgery to restore full function — faster and more completely than rest alone.

Start Your Plan How it works →

Pre & PostWe see patients before and after surgery — both phases significantly improve outcomes

↑ 40%Greater strength gains in patients who complete prehabilitation before hip replacement

FasterPrehabilitation reduces post-surgical rehabilitation time and speeds return to full function

No referralBook directly — Medicare rebates available with a CDM plan

Two phases. One outcome.

We work with you before surgery and after — both matter.

Most people think of rehabilitation as something that happens after surgery. But what you do in the weeks before your hip replacement is just as important — and often more impactful on your final outcome than the post-surgical phase alone.

Prehabilitation

Before your surgery

Building strength, mobility and cardiovascular fitness before surgery reduces post-surgical complications, speeds recovery and leads to significantly better long-term outcomes. The stronger you go in, the stronger you come out.

Hip and glute strengthening to reduce surgical recovery time
Quadriceps and hamstring loading without joint overload
Cardiovascular conditioning to improve surgical tolerance
Gait optimisation before compensatory patterns become ingrained
Education on what to expect post-surgery and how to prepare

Post-surgical Rehabilitation

After your surgery

Progressive rehabilitation after hip replacement restores strength, mobility and function beyond what passive recovery alone achieves. We work within your surgeon's protocol and progress you systematically toward full independence.

Progressive hip and lower limb strengthening within surgical precautions
Gait retraining — walking well, not just walking
Balance and proprioception to reduce falls risk post-surgery
Functional milestone progression — stairs, getting in and out of cars
Return to recreational activity and sport where appropriate

What we do

A clinically-designed program that works with your surgeon, not around them.

All post-surgical rehabilitation at Beachside EP is conducted within your surgeon's post-operative protocol. We do not prescribe anything that conflicts with surgical precautions — we build systematically within them.

Hip and glute strength trainingProgressive loading of the gluteus medius, maximus and hip abductors — the muscles most critical to hip stability and normal gait mechanics after replacement. Weakness in these muscles is the primary driver of post-surgical limping and functional limitation.

Gait retrainingRestoring a normal, symmetrical walking pattern after hip replacement requires targeted work — many patients develop compensatory movement patterns pre-surgery that persist after the operation without intervention. We address these directly.

Balance and proprioceptionHip replacement temporarily disrupts the proprioceptive feedback from the joint. Progressive balance training restores this, reducing falls risk and improving confidence in movement.

Functional milestone progressionGetting off the floor, in and out of a car, up and down stairs, and back to recreational activities require specific programming. We build toward each milestone systematically, in the right sequence for your recovery stage.

Cardiovascular reconditioningSurgery and the post-operative recovery period leads to significant cardiovascular deconditioning. We rebuild aerobic capacity progressively, important not just for fitness but for energy levels and mood during recovery.

Pain management through loadingAppropriate progressive loading of the soft tissues around the hip reduces pain more effectively than rest or avoidance. We use evidence-based loading parameters to build tissue capacity while managing post-surgical discomfort.

Coordination with your surgeon and GPWe communicate with your orthopaedic surgeon and GP throughout your program. Surgical discharge notes and protocols are reviewed before your first post-surgical session, and written reports are sent to your team after every review.

Who we see

Total hip replacement and beyond.

We work with patients at every stage of the hip replacement journey, and with other hip conditions where structured exercise is appropriate.

Total hip replacement — pre-surgical

Total hip replacement — post-surgical

Hip resurfacing rehabilitation

Hip revision surgery rehabilitation

Osteoarthritis of the hip (pre-surgical)

Hip labral tear (conservative management)

Hip fracture rehabilitation

Femoral neck fracture post-surgical

Hip replacement with complex comorbidities

Older adults requiring prehabilitation

Hip replacement under aged care funding

Hip replacement under DVA

Your program

What to expect from your first appointment.

We assess your current strength, movement and functional capacity — and build a program appropriate for your stage, whether that is pre-surgery, early post-surgical or long-term rehabilitation.

Initial assessment — pre or post-surgical

We review your imaging, surgical history (if post-operative), current surgical precautions, medications and functional limitations. We assess your hip strength, range of motion, gait and balance. If pre-surgical, we establish a baseline to measure your prehabilitation progress against.

Program design within your surgical protocol

We design a program appropriate for your recovery stage. Post-surgical programs are built within your surgeon's precautions — we do not guess at what is appropriate; we work within the parameters your surgical team has specified.

Supervised sessions and milestone tracking

We supervise your exercise, monitor your response and progress your loading systematically. We track functional milestones — walking distance, stair climbing, sit-to-stand — to give you an objective picture of your progress.

Home program between sessions

Your program is delivered via our exercise app with videos, sets, reps and notes. Consistent exercise between supervised sessions is what drives recovery — we make it easy to follow at home without supervision.

Regular reviews and reports to your surgeon

Formal program reviews with written reports sent to your orthopaedic surgeon and GP. We track your progress against functional benchmarks and advance your program toward full independence and return to activity.

Funding and rebates

Multiple ways to fund your hip rehabilitation.

Hip replacement rehabilitation qualifies for Medicare CDM funding where the underlying condition (e.g. osteoarthritis) is on your management plan. DVA and aged care funding are also available.

Medicare CDM Plan

$61.80 rebate per session

Where the underlying condition (e.g. osteoarthritis) is included in your GP's Chronic Disease Management plan, Medicare rebates apply to both pre- and post-surgical sessions.

Up to 5 sessions per year

DVA Gold & White Card

No out-of-pocket (Gold Card)

DVA Gold Card holders have all clinically necessary hip rehabilitation sessions covered. White Card covers accepted service-related conditions.

No gap fee — Gold Card

My Aged Care

CHSP & Support at Home

For eligible older Australians, hip replacement rehabilitation is fundable through Support at Home and CHSP packages under the Clinical Care pathway.

Package funded

Private Health Insurance

Rebates apply

Most extras policies that include Exercise Physiology will rebate hip rehabilitation sessions. Check your annual limit and rebate with your insurer.

Varies by fund

WorkCover & TAC

Available for workplace injuries

Where hip surgery is related to a workplace or transport accident injury, WorkCover and TAC funding may cover Exercise Physiology rehabilitation sessions.

Case manager referral

Private

No referral needed

Book directly and pay privately. No GP visit required to start your hip rehabilitation program — pre or post-surgical.

Book directly

Frequently asked questions

Hip replacement rehabilitation FAQs

When should I start Exercise Physiology before my hip replacement?

Ideally 6 to 12 weeks before your surgery date. This gives enough time to make meaningful strength gains that translate to faster post-surgical recovery. Even 4 weeks of structured prehabilitation produces measurable benefits. If your surgery is sooner than that, starting immediately is still worthwhile — any preparation is better than none.

How soon after surgery can I start Exercise Physiology?

Typically 2 to 6 weeks post-surgery, depending on your surgeon's protocol, your healing progress, and your current functional status. We review your surgical discharge notes and protocol before your first session and design a program within your surgeon's specified precautions. Call us before your surgery and we can advise on the right timing for your specific situation.

Will you work within my surgeon's precautions?

Yes — always. We request your surgical protocol before your first post-operative session. Hip replacement precautions vary by surgeon and surgical approach (posterior vs anterior), and we never prescribe exercises that conflict with your surgeon's instructions. If we are unsure about any aspect of your protocol, we contact your surgical team directly.

My hip still hurts after surgery. Is exercise appropriate?

Some discomfort after hip replacement is expected and does not mean exercise is inappropriate. In fact, progressive loading of the soft tissues around the hip is the most effective way to reduce post-surgical pain over time. We assess your pain carefully, work within comfortable ranges, and progress loading at a pace that builds tissue capacity without provoking significant pain responses.

Do I need a referral to start?

No. You can book directly and be seen privately. If you have a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP that includes Exercise Physiology, bring it to your first appointment and we will process your $61.80 rebate on the spot. For post-surgical patients, it is helpful to bring your discharge summary and any written surgical precautions from your surgeon.

Ready to get stronger before or after your hip replacement?

Book your first appointment online or call us. No referral needed. The stronger you are going into surgery, the better you come out of it.

Start Your Plan Call 0409 051 260