Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Hip Exercises

Hi All,

I am having a problem with my hips and wondered if anyone knows any good stretches or exercises.

My hip movement is very restricted. It's difficult to explain how they are restricted but I can't sit with my legs crossed or when I swim I can't do the breast stroke legs. It seems they are very tight on side ways movement.

Any thoughts? Is this a common problem?





Nicola

Hello Nicola


Welcome to kickas. As you will find out this is a really great place.

I can't help you with any hip excerises. But I did want to let you know that I know all about your restricted hip movement.
I also had restricted hip movement for years it gradually got worse. I couldn't cross my legs. bend like other people etc. Then the pain started it would come and go but that too got worse. It got to be a steady thing 24 hours a day .
I had trouble with climbing stairs, walking any distance, driving a car etc.
I finally got the hips checked out. According to the doctors I basically had no hips left.
I had my first replacement in Jan of this year. I do have to get the other one done . I just don't know when I am going to have it done.

The reason I told you all of this is so you can keep an eye on your hips and maybe get them checked . I am not saying that you will need to have your hips done only a doctor say that.


Take care
Valerie

Hi Nicola and welcome to KA!!

My hips were becoming quite painful last summer. Couldn't sleep with any comfort on my left side, couldn't do some of my pilates moves fully. It was getting bad. When I started on vioxx, one of the first things I noticed was that I could move without pain, sleep without pain and go into full child pose in pilates.

I think the best exercises for our hips are walking and swimming. These activities keep the joint moving and, so, keep it lubricated. Oddly, as someone who's into pilates and stretching, I don't have alot of good ones for the hips.

Hope that helps.

Hugs,

Kat

Nicola,

The exercise I was taught at AS physio classes was to lay on your side, legs and body straight, using your outstretched elbow to balance. Then raise uppermost leg as far as you can keeping it straight. Repeat as many times as you can, increasing the number over a period of time. Another one I was shown is to stand with a leg outstretched on a chair or other support as you do for hamstring stretches then try to rotate your trunk away from the raised leg. I have found these exercices extremely effective for maintaining hip mobility and resilience.

DOCTOR: Therein the patient
Must minister to himself.
MACBETH: Throw physic to the dogs, I'll none of it.

HI Nicola
If you go back to the main page and then to the AS Patient Guidebook, I have a series of exercises posted there that many people has said that help. My hips were so bad 4 years ago that I couldn't walk down stairs (and I was a marathoner). I am running most days now. So I tell you this to inspire you to have hope. Hopefully once the fusing and inflammation goes down, you will have more freedom. Keep swimming and let me know if these exercises help, or if you need more help.
Best Regards!
Ellyn