Your Guide to Hip Replacement Recovery

When deciding whether or not to get a hip replacement, you may have several questions, especially about what happens after the surgery. How long will your recovery take? How many years will your hip replacement last? When can you get back to your normal physical activities, like playing golf, working out or running?

Phelps Health Orthopedic Surgeon Alan Heincker, DO, answers these questions and more about the recovery process after a hip replacement.

How long is the recovery time following a hip replacement?

Most patients who have undergone a hip replacement surgery either go home the day of surgery or the day after. You are rarely sent to a rehab or skilled care facility after this type of operation.

If you’re unable to walk or complete physical therapy after your surgery, you probably aren’t a good candidate for this surgery.

A physical or occupational therapist and a home health nurse may come to your home for the first few weeks after your surgery to check on you.

After about 14 days, most patients are usually feeling better. Somewhere around 2-6 weeks, people really turn a corner after a hip replacement.

A full recovery usually takes up to a year, but after 2-3 months, most patients are doing pretty well.

When can I get back to my normal daily activities?

You will likely use a walker or cane for support for about 2 weeks after your procedure. Most people also will feel well enough to stop taking pain medications after 2 weeks.

In addition, you should be able to drive and perform other similar activities between 4-6 weeks after your procedure. After 6 weeks, you will have a follow-up appointment with your orthopedic surgeon.

Should I have a support person to assist me during my recovery?

Having a family member or friend who can stop by and check on you is beneficial. However, your support person should not wait on you hand and foot. You, the patient, should be up and moving around.

A lot of patients who live alone do the best during recovery because they have to go answer the front door. They must go to the kitchen to get their meals. Every time they get up and move, they're completing mini physical therapy sessions.

What dietary restrictions will I have after a hip replacement?

You can return to your normal diet the same day as your surgery. Sometimes, you may not feel like eating right away or have a good appetite after an operation. However, eating a healthy diet after a surgery will help you to heal.

How long after a hip replacement can I return to my normal physical activities?

You want to make sure you’re fully recovered. Usually, around 2 or 3 months after your surgery is a good time to get back to sports and other similar activities.

How can I prevent complications after my hip replacement surgery?

The best thing you can do is to make sure you’re following instructions from your care team.

Avoid touching the dressing over the incision and the incision itself. The more people who look at or touch the dressing over your incision, the higher the risk for infection. Your dressing may include a silver material that kills bacteria, so don’t remove the silver.

Keep your surgical site dry after your hip replacement surgery. After about 7 days, you can let the water run over it, but make sure to pat dry the incision site.

Also, don’t submerge your hip into a pool, hot tub or bathtub right away. At the 4- to 6-week mark, you can place your hip underwater.

How long does a hip replacement last?

Studies show that hip replacements can last up to 30-35 years in 95% to 98% of patients. Many people in their 60s or 70s get hip replacements, but other patients get the surgery in their 40s or 50s.

Ideally, your hip replacement will last you the rest of your life. Because your new hip is made of metal and plastic, though, the plastic can wear out and will need to be replaced in some instances.