Ask a PT Response: "Do you have any medical conditions which may be contributing to this? ie surgery, stroke, etc.. For patients that have difficulty with achieving this motion, weakness of the hip abductors are usually involved. Exercises that can be prescribed by PTs' can include hip abduction/adduction with the patient lying on his/her back (ankle weights could be utilized), sitting hip abduction with thera band/tubing or standing hip abduction with ankle weights. The PT can than progress to strengthening in sidelying as the patient achieves additional gains with strength."

 

Our user responded: "Good questions!
 
Thanks, yes, I had a torn meniscus repair (arthroscopy) a few months back, and got synovitis right after (very painful), which was then diagnosed as RA, making PT not real effective.  The inflammation is now almost gone (RA, anti-inflamm. diet, lost weight), and I'm getting around on that leg so much better.  I've done standing side leg lifts in the pool, but now see other ones that would help, as you have suggested.  After emailing you, I found out by googling that it was the hip abductor!  I'll be checking with the PT that I use to see what he says, too.
 
Thanks so much for getting back with me so quickly!"