Recovery after hip replacement surgery happens in stages. You will usually begin moving soon after the operation, but healing, rebuilding strength and returning to your usual activities may take considerably longer.
The NHS guidance on recovering from a hip replacement states that recovery can take several months, with the timescale varying according to factors including age and general health.
So, what can you expect during the different stages of recovery?
The First Few Days After Hip Surgery
The immediate priority is to get you moving safely and prepare you to continue your recovery after leaving hospital.
Nurses and physiotherapists will support you to begin walking as soon as appropriate after surgery. Initially, you may use crutches or a walking frame, with the level of support tailored to your mobility and individual recovery.
If you are generally well, your wound is healing as expected and you are able to move around safely, NHS guidance indicates that you may be ready to leave hospital around one to three days after your operation. Before discharge, a physiotherapist or occupational therapist will provide guidance on managing everyday activities and continuing your rehabilitation through an appropriate home exercise programme.
NICE recommends that people who have had a hip replacement receive advice on postoperative rehabilitation before leaving hospital. For hip replacement, this includes advice on self-directed rehabilitation, while supervised group or individual rehabilitation may be offered where there are specific rehabilitation needs. NICE guidance on postoperative rehabilitation
Weeks 1 to 2: Managing the Early Stages
The first couple of weeks are largely about allowing the initial healing process to progress while gradually increasing your mobility.
Pain, stiffness and swelling are likely to remain noticeable during this period. The NHS says these symptoms usually improve within a few weeks. You may still need a walking aid and find that everyday tasks require more effort than they did before surgery.
There is also significant healing taking place beneath the surface. Cambridge University Hospitals’ hip replacement guidance advises that the wound can take around four to six weeks to heal, while the ligaments and joint soft tissues take around six weeks to heal.
Weeks 3 to 6: Becoming More Independent
As the initial discomfort settles, everyday activities should gradually become easier. You may be able to walk further, rely less on walking aids and manage more tasks independently.
This is also a period when the tissues around the new joint are continuing to strengthen following their initial healing. Cambridge University Hospitals advises that, after the first six weeks of healing, the ligaments and joint soft tissues take a further six weeks to strengthen.
This is also around the point when some people begin considering a return to work. The NHS says returning to work usually takes about six weeks, although the timing depends on the type of work. Someone returning to a desk-based role may have different requirements from someone whose job involves lifting or prolonged physical activity.
The NHS also advises waiting at least six weeks before driving and checking with your doctor that you are fit to do so.
Six Weeks to Three Months: Rebuilding Strength and Mobility
Around six weeks, many people are becoming more independent, but physical recovery continues.
Cambridge University Hospitals notes that bone and muscle can take up to six months to fully heal and strengthen. By around 12 weeks, guidance indicates that most patients are beginning to feel more like themselves again, with many able to walk without mobility aids and resume their usual day-to-day activities.
The NHS also says that a follow-up appointment will usually take place around six to 12 weeks after surgery to check how you are recovering.
For some people, rehabilitation may need to be adjusted at this stage if specific difficulties remain. NICE says supervised group or individual rehabilitation may be offered where there are difficulties managing daily activities, ongoing functional impairment creating specific rehabilitation needs, or where self-directed rehabilitation is not meeting rehabilitation goals.
Three to Six Months and Beyond
By three to six months, most people will have made substantial progress and be able to manage most of their usual day-to-day activities.
Cambridge University Hospitals states that almost all patients are greatly improved by six months, although some may not yet have regained their full stamina. Its guidance also notes that improvements can continue for more than a year.
This extended recovery period may be particularly relevant for those looking to return to more physically demanding activities. Any plans to resume specific sports should be discussed with your surgeon, particularly where they involve running, jumping or other high-impact movements.
What Can Affect Your Recovery Time After Hip Surgery?
The overall recovery period can be influenced by several factors, including:
- Age and general health: Your overall physical condition can affect how you respond to surgery and rehabilitation.
- Mobility before surgery: If your movement was significantly restricted beforehand, rebuilding strength and function may take longer.
- The nature of your surgery: Your surgical team can explain how your particular procedure may affect your recovery.
- Your activity goals: Returning to everyday activities is different from preparing for physically demanding work or more strenuous exercise.
- Complications or setbacks: Problems affecting healing or other aspects of recovery can alter the expected timeline.
These factors are why general recovery milestones should be treated as useful reference points rather than fixed deadlines. Your own surgical and rehabilitation teams can provide a more meaningful expectation based on your circumstances.
Hip Replacement Rehabilitation at The 1150 Club
For people who require additional support following hip surgery, The 1150 Club provides a dedicated rehabilitation environment in Belgravia.
Its rehabilitation programme after hip surgery is designed for people recovering from procedures including hip replacement, resurfacing and surgery for hip impingement. The programme combines one-to-one physiotherapy with 24-hour nursing oversight, alongside treatments including manual therapy, hydrotherapy and wound care.
The Club can coordinate its programme with the surgical team’s discharge recommendations. Before rehabilitation begins, the Head Nurse discusses the individual’s medical history and procedure, while the Head of Physiotherapy identifies recovery goals and explains what to expect from the rehabilitation process.
The 1150 Club provides a seamless transition between hospital and home, offering a dedicated period of rehabilitation with 24-hour clinical support and bespoke therapy to help individuals progress confidently through the next stage of their recovery.