What to Expect Before and After Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Total Hip Replacement Surgery | GetWellGo

Hip replacement surgery recovery time

This is a comprehensive outline of the recovery following Total Hip Replacement Surgery:

Total hip replacement recovery timeline:

Hospital Stay (1–4 days)

1. Day of surgery: Start moving the joint with the aid (walker/crutches).
2. Observed for pain, blood clots, and healing of the wound.
3. Discharged when you are able to walk short distances, go to the bathroom, and go up and down a few stairs (if required).

First 6 Weeks at Home

1. Mobility: Walk with walker or crutches, then switch to a cane.
2. Physical Therapy: Necessary to recover strength, flexibility, and normal movement.
3. Wound care: Keep the incision area clean and dry. Stitches/staples removed ~10–14 days.
4. Pain management: Take prescribed pain medication or NSAIDs.
5. Avoid particular movements (e.g., crossing legs, bending hip >90°) to dislocate.

6 Weeks to 3 Months

1. Most individuals return to daily activities with less pain.
2. Walk without aids.
3. Light exercise such as swimming or stationary cycling is typically permitted.
4. Return to office work can occur within 4–6 weeks; physical work may be longer.

3 to 6 Months

1. Increased strength and range of motion.
2. Most patients return to driving (2–6 weeks), home duties, and low-impact activities such as walking or golf.
3. Pain and stiffness much decreased or eliminated. 

6 Months to 1 Year

1. Mostly full recovery.
2. Return to backpacking, dancing, or traveling routine.
3. Implant is completely settled and bone healing typically complete.

Hip Replacement Surgery Expectations

Day of Surgery: What to Expect

Procedure Time

• Approximately 1 to 2 hours.
• Done under general or spinal anaesthesia.

What Happens

• Surgeon removes diseased bone and cartilage.
• Places prosthetic components (metal, ceramic, or plastic).

Immediately After Surgery

• You will wake up in recovery with a dressing on the hip.
• Pain management starts immediately.
• You can begin moving the leg or sitting up within hours.
• Total Hip Replacement Before and After

What to expect before hip replacement surgery?

Before Surgery: Expectations

1. Medical Evaluation
2. Physical exams, blood work, X-rays, and possibly an ECG.
3. Evaluation of anaesthesia fitness.

Pre-Surgery Preparation

1. Discontinue some medications (such as blood thinners).
2. Resolve dental problems (to minimize infection risk).
3. Prehab: Mild exercises to build muscle strength.
4. Plan for assistance at home upon discharge.

What to expect after hip replacement surgery?

Post-Surgery: What to Expect During Recovery

• Mobility
• Walk (with assistance) the same day or the next.
• Use walker, crutches, or cane for several weeks.

Physical Therapy

• Begins in the hospital, follows up at home or outpatient.
• Sets a focus on regaining strength, motion, and ability to walk.

Pain

Controlled with medications; improves gradually over weeks.

Recovery Time

• 6 weeks: Almost all daily activities back to normal.
• 3–6 months: Able to walk comfortably and perform moderate exercise.
• 1 year: Complete recovery, implant fully incorporated.

Hip Replacement Recovery Week by Week

Here is a week-by-week overview of hip replacement recovery milestones to let you know what to anticipate and what to expect at each phase:

Week 1 (Transition Home from Hospital)

• Start walking using walker or crutches.
• Initiate simple physical therapy (ankle pumps, leg lifts, sitting exercises).
• Control pain and swelling with medication and ice.
• Learn hip precautions not to dislocate (don't bend >90°, don't cross legs).

Week 2

• Walk short distances a few times a day.
• Continue home therapy (quad sets, heel slides).
• Begin to build stamina and movement throughout the house.
• Wound healing checked (staples/sutures generally removed by day 10–14).

Week 3–4

• Advance to cane-assisted walking if stable.
• Increase range of motion and strength with supervised range-of-motion exercises.
• Return to simple self-care: dressing, bathing, and light meal preparation.

Week 5–6

• Increase longer distances with minimal assistance.
• Return to more daily activities such as cooking, light housework.
• Return to desk work (if applicable).
• Drive (if no longer on narcotics and cleared by physician).

Week 7–8

• Enhance balance and coordination.
• Perhaps start outpatient physical therapy if not already begun.
• Initiate low-impact exercise: stationary bicycle, pool therapy.

Week 9–12

• Walk independently without aids.
• Perform most routine activities (errands, walking outside, and light hiking).
• Begin driving longer distances and resuming hobbies.

3 to 6 Months

• Return to all non-strenuous activities.
• Experience steady, painless movement in most circumstances.
• May resume sporting activities such as golf, bicycling, dancing.

6 Months to 1 Year

• Normal recovery with minimal limitations.
• Implant is completely settled.
• Resumption of travel, moderate sports, and living alone.

Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery Tips

Here are best recovery tips following hip replacement surgery to recover quickly, remain safe, and regain mobility: