The recovery time for hip replacement surgery varies and depends on many different factors; however, it is common to return to normal activities within 1 to 6 months after surgery. You should be prepared to experience pain, but you can focus on the bright future ahead once you are healed.
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Physical therapy and at-home daily hip exercises, especially in the first 6 weeks following surgery, are considered an integral part of speeding up the healing process.
Additionally, it may be helpful to prepare yourself for what to expect during “short-term” and “long-term” recovery.
Short-term recovery
The beginning stages of recovery involve being able to get out of the hospital bed and discharged from the hospital. Within the first days following surgery, most hip replacement patients use a walker to help stabilize and balance. On day 3, most patients are discharged and can go home with the initial assistance of painkillers and walking aids. The average length of short-term recovery is between 4 and 6 weeks.
Long-term recovery
The final stages of recovery involve being able to return to normal activities again. Full term recovery occurs when surgical wounds and internal soft tissues have healed. The average length of long-term recovery can be up to 6 months.
