Hip replacement: things you should do and avoid after surgery

Hip replacement surgery is a common treatment for hip pain caused by injury or osteoarthritis. Hip pain can seriously affect your quality of life, limiting your movement and making everyday tasks difficult. Hip replacement surgery can help reduce your pain so you can get back to the activities you enjoy. However, you’ll need to take it easy after your surgery to allow your body to recover. 

Before surgery

Take some time to get your home ready for your return after surgery. You may want to sleep in a room downstairs so you don’t have to walk up and down the stairs so often. Try to arrange your furniture so you can move around with your crutches easily and make sure you have everything you need in easy reach so you don’t need to bend down or reach up. Assistive devices can also be helpful, such as a shower chair and raised toilet seat.

The first few days after surgery

Immediately after surgery, you’ll stay in the hospital for a few days until you can move around by yourself. Your healthcare team will make sure you can perform certain tasks before you go home, including getting in and out of bed, using the toilet, walking with crutches and performing physiotherapy exercises. 

When you return home, have someone stay with you until you are confident moving around by yourself. It can take between a few days to a few weeks, depending on your surgery and general health.  

Exercising after surgery

A physiotherapist will give you hip strength and mobility exercises to do at home daily. Hip replacement recovery relies on you learning to move your new hip in the correct way and this takes practice. 

Resting

Staying active is an important part of your recovery but you’ll also need to rest. To relieve any swelling after surgery, sit or lie down and elevate your leg, apply an ice pack for up to 20 minutes and, if recommended by your doctor, wear compression stockings. 

Movements to avoid

Avoid sitting on seats that are not raised — you can use extra cushions to raise your seating. Don’t sit with your legs crossed or turn them inward. Instead, try to keep your legs straight and your hips aligned. If you need to reach down for something, ask for help or use a grabber tool so you don’t bend your hips. In bed, try to avoid lying on your side and put a cushion between your legs if you do. 

Getting back to normal

You’ll be given advice about when you can put weight on your leg without crutches or a walking stick. How long this takes will depend on the type of surgery you had, your general health and strength, and your recovery. If you work, you’ll be given an idea of how soon you can expect to return to work after surgery, which depends on the type of work you do and your recovery.