If you or any of your family member is about to undergo a hip replacement surgery, here is a complete information on hip replacement recovery time for you, so that, you can plan everything accordingly, well in advance. If there is constant joint pain around the hip joint and despite proper treatment, you are not able to carry out your daily activities, then you can opt for a hip replacement surgery. The hip joint is damaged mostly due to osteoarthritis. But other factors such as bone injury, rheumatoid arthritis or bone tumors can also lead to breaking of the hip joint. Nowadays, older as well as younger people too, undergo hip replacement surgery. Thanks to the modern technology and researchers, that there are improved artificial parts available for all, which can withstand more stress and strain and which last longer. Today's world is fast and full of activities and everyone has to be fit and active. So, people opt for hip replacement surgery to get rid of the hip pain and also to increase the mobility. Hip replacement surgery recovery depends on many factors.

Hip Replacement Recovery Time: Affecting Factors

Patients generally have to stay for 3-5 days in the hospital, after a hip replacement surgery. Full recovery may take about 3-6 months, depending upon the type of surgery and on the other following factors.

• Health: The hip replacement recovery time will depend upon the person's overall health and mental strength.
• Right Time: The hip replacement recovery will be faster if the decision is taken before joint deterioration reaches the advanced stage.
• Uncemented Prosthesis: An uncemented prosthesis leads to longer hip replacement recovery periods, as the natural bone takes time to grow and attach to the prosthesis. The patient is expected to limit his activities up to three months. After the surgery, thigh pain may be experienced for some months, as the bone grows into the prosthesis. These uncemented replacements are usually used for young and active patients. They were introduced after 1970.
• Cemented Prosthesis: This is used for older and less active people with weak bones. Hip replacement recovery process is faster with cemented prosthesis, as compared to uncemented one. Since 1960s, the cemented replacements are in use.
• Patient's Response: How the patient responds to the doctor's instructions, how he cooperates during the hip pain exercises demonstrated by the physical therapist, will decide about the recovery after hip replacement. How fast the patient learns the pain management techniques, decides the success of his rehabilitation.

Hip Replacement Recovery Process

• First Day: On the day of the surgery, the patient may be asked to sit in a chair or on the side of the bed. Ankle pumps, leg lifts and heel slide can be tried under the guidance of the surgeon and the physiotherapist. Pain killers are provided after the surgery.
• In Hospital: Physiotherapist will guide the patient for walking, strengthening and mobility, while the occupational therapist will guide the patient during hospitalization for dressing, washing and other daily activities. The weight of the patient, type and extent of the surgery and the physical and mental strength of the patient influence the progress.
• Rehabilitation Center: After 3-5 days, patient is discharged. Going to toilet or kitchen can be tried slowly at home. If this is not possible, then there are rehabilitation centers, where 24 hour support is provided to the patients to achieve a fast recovery from hip replacement. Services of therapists are also available there.
• Home: Finally, when the patient returns home, visiting nurses and therapists will be there to help. With the help of a 'walker', the patient can walk, crutches can be used in case of stronger patients.Usually, within 2-4 weeks, the patient is able to walk with a cane and after 4-6 weeks, he can walk without any assistance.
• Stairs: The therapists train the patients in one week, and they can step on stairs with cane or walker and after 4-6 weeks, without any help.
• Driving: After 4-6 weeks, patients can try driving, provided the type of vehicle and the side operated do not generate any more complications.
• Back to Work: The patient can return to work within 4-10 weeks depending on work obligations and type of work, under the guidance of the surgeon and therapists.

Read more on:

• Side Hip Pain
• Sharp Hip Pain
• Hip Pain Symptoms

So, it can be safely concluded, that the average hip replacement surgery recovery time is about 3 months, but it can be around 6 months in case of some patients, depending upon various related factors. Once a patient returns to work, no one will believe that he has recently undergone a hip replacement surgery.
Leena Palande
Published: 12/10/2009