Doctors Explain Hip Replacement Recovery Time and How to Heal Faster
See the one nutrient doctors say you shouldn't skimp on after surgery
If chronic hip pain and stiffness have limited your mobility, your doctor may recommend a hip replacement for one or both hips. While experts agree the procedure is typically highly effective (an estimated 95 percent of patients experience relief from hip pain), it can take a bit of time before you’re fully able to resume your normal activities. Here we look at the typical hip replacement recovery time, plus how you can feel better faster after the procedure.
Who needs a hip replacement?
The main reason a doctor will recommend hip replacement surgery is hip arthritis, says Nakul Karkare, MD, a hip and knee replacement surgeon based in New York. The condition is marked by pain that can extend from the groin to the front of the thigh and even into the knee.
“For my patients to consider joint replacement surgery, I follow the three-strike rule: pain that interferes with activities of daily living, X-ray evidence of arthritis and clinical exam confirming that the pain is originating from the hip,” Dr. Karkare says, noting that the first “strike” is what he considers the most important.
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“Hip replacement surgery is done for pain relief. The goal is to eliminate the pain that has not responded to conservative treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, injections or physical therapy,” he adds.
While it’s a major surgery, Dr. Karkare says “It has an excellent success rate in eliminating arthritis pain and restoring function. It dramatically improves quality of life and allows [patients] to return to their favorite activities without pain.”
Hip replacement recovery time
Hip replacement recovery time is shorter than you might expect, with the average patient seeing major improvements in pain and mobility within six weeks after surgery, according to Elizabeth Gausden, MD, a hip and knee replacement surgeon with the Hospital for Special Surgery.
“The truth is there’s wide variation [in total hip replacement recovery time], but I tell patients that on average it’s six weeks to get 85 percent recovered but it’ll be a year before you’re fully rehabbed, meaning your muscles have strengthened back to the point where they’re at their maximum level,” Dr. Gausden says.
Many patients go home the same day as their surgery and are able to walk very short distances immediately, with or without an assistive device like a walker. “The arthritic pain they had before surgery is immediately gone,” Dr. Karkare notes.
Within two to four weeks after surgery, many patients are back to regular, low-impact activities like working from home and walking independently. Iit can take three months or longer to be ready for manual labor and physical activity, Dr. Karkare says.
How to feel better during hip replacement recovery
How quickly you recover depends on several factors, including your general health, pain tolerance and level of activity before surgery. It’s important to work closely with your healthcare team and follow their post-operative directions. But the following tips can help make your hip replacement recovery as comfortable as possible.
Ice your hip
Icing can help with hip replacement recovery and pain, Dr. Gausden says. Regular ice packs or even a frozen bag of peas can work in a pinch, but some people say it can be hard for their fridge ice makers to keep up with the demand. That’s why it can be helpful to rent a cold therapy machine, which continuously directs cold air or water through a hip pad to ease pain and inflammation. Prices vary, but they typically cost around $25 to $45 a day.
Others prefer buying gel ice packs designed to be worn over the hip, which stay cold for longer than regular ice. These aren’t always covered by insurance, but may be reimbursable FSA expenses. Check with your plan before buying.
Walk (within reason)
While movement can help prevent stiffness, Dr. Gausden says that the first two weeks post-surgery should be mainly about resting, with some short walks and range of motion exercises.
“I always tell my younger patients, especially, that my concern is them overdoing things,” Dr. Gausden notes. “Relax, catch up on shows and do a bit of walking but not miles and miles. Trying to push through during those early weeks just leads to swelling and potentially taking a step back [recovery-wise].”
Dr. Karkare suggests short walks multiple times a day, noting that “motion helps prevent stiffness and improves circulation.”
Stretch and strengthen
Hip replacement patients who focused on stretching the gluteus medius muscles, found toward the top of your rear end, had better muscle activation than those who didn’t, according to research in The Journal of Arthroplasty. While acknowledging more robust research is needed, the study authors said that “focused stretching and strengthening of abductors muscles are beneficial” after a hip replacement.
One move that might help (if your doctor gives it the all-clear):
That said, it’s important to run any exercise or stretch by your healthcare team before trying them yourself. Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy or give you exercises to do at home to improve range of motion and muscle strength. In other cases, they may simply advise getting back to your daily activities and letting them know if you experience pain, stiffness or swelling.
Prioritize protein
Dr. Gausden and Karkare agree that eating a well-balanced diet and staying hydrated help your body heal. In particular, make sure you’re getting enough protein (about 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, or about 54 grams for a 150-pound person). You should also make sure you’re eating enough calories in general to support recovery—it’s not the time to try to drop pounds, Dr. Karkare says.
In fact, eating a high-protein and anti-inflammatory diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and healthy fats may help improve hip replacement recovery outcomes in people with nutritional deficiencies, suggests a study in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine.
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