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PNF Techniques for Hip Replacement

The Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation technique, or PNF, is a method by which patients who have neurological troubles rehabilitate the body's muscular strength and flexibility. For patients who have recently had hip replacement surgery, the PNF stretching technique may be used to strengthen hip muscles and readjust the nerves in the hip so it can function normally. There are three basic techniques that are commonly used for rehabilitation.

  1. Hold-Relax

    • This technique, along with the other basic PNF techniques, must be performed with the assistance of your physical trainer or some other knowledgeable person appointed by the trainer or physician. The patient sits or lays flat on his or her back, legs extended. The partner then slowly lifts the patient's leg up until the patient feels mild discomfort. Once the discomfort is felt, the partner holds the leg in that position for 10 seconds.

      Then the partner instructs the patient to contract his hamstring by applying slight pressure against his partner's hand. This should only be so the leg isn't able to move either up or down. This position is held for six seconds.

      Then the patient relaxes his leg for another 30 seconds, while the partner slightly moves the leg upward for more hip flexion.

    Contract-Relax

    • This stretch is very similar to the hold-relax technique, since it begins with the partner holding the patient's leg in a mildly uncomfortable position for 10 seconds. However, when the partner instructs the patient to apply force toward the partner's hand, the partner is to only offer mild resistance to the patient's movement. This way the patient can still move his or her leg down to the floor.

      The partner assists the patient in a second passive stretch to be held for 30 seconds. The partner simply gently pushes the extended leg forward in a hip flexion and holds that position.

    Hold-Relax with Opposing Muscle Contraction

    • This stretch is similar to the hold-relax technique in that it involves the initial 10-second passive stretch and 30-second hamstring contraction. However, during the final 30-second passive stretch where the hip is flexed, the patient pulls the leg more into the stretch, making the hip flexion greater.

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