How Long Does It Take to Walk Normally After Hip Surgery?
Hip replacement is a proven, reliable operation to alleviate pain and improve your quality of life. While many factors affect how quickly you heal, most patients can expect to walk again unaided within one month after surgery.
This blog post will walk you through the basics of hip replacement surgery and the typical timeline and milestones for recovery. If you’ve had hip surgery and have specific questions about your recovery, you should ask your orthopedic surgeon to receive a personalized answer.
Types of Hip Surgery
Total hip replacement is one of the most consistently successful surgeries in orthopedics. There are several ways to perform hip replacements, but the most common are the Direct Anterior Approach, in which the surgeon makes an incision at the front of the hip, and the Posterior Approach, in which the surgeon begins at the back of the hip, close to the buttocks.
Although results may differ between the two procedures and even among surgeons, patients who undergo Direct Anterior Hip Replacement generally recover faster because no muscle is cut during the procedure.
"The best thing I have ever done! I had put off surgery for years because I was scared. But now, I’m pain-free and walking without a cane just six weeks later. Thank you, Dr. Alexander!" — Nancy Amaral
Guidelines for Walking During the First Few Weeks After Hip Surgery
You may walk on your hip replacement immediately following surgery, placing as much weight on the new prosthesis as your comfort allows. Patients use a walker the day of surgery for enhanced stability until they become more comfortable walking on their new hip.
Most patients use a walker for several days, then transition to a cane and eventually to no assistive devices. The most crucial factor is to be safe and avoid a fall.
Generally, at the two-week milestone, patients will use a cane for any longer walks, such as into the office for their first follow-up appointment, but they can walk mostly unassisted around the house.
Signs You May Be Walking Too Much or Too Little
Increased soreness or swelling in the groin or thigh is a sign your body is trying to tell you to slow down and that you may be overdoing it. Remember that the most important part of walking again is increasing your duration and distance.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Building Endurance and Strength for Walking
Physical therapy may be recommended as you recover, depending on your age, health, physical condition, and the type of hip replacement surgery you receive.
- In a posterior hip replacement, incisions are made in the muscles, so many patients may benefit from strength training exercises once their surgeon says it’s okay.
- In an anterior hip replacement, no muscle is cut, so the recovery is much faster, and generally, patients do not need strength training. Instead, they gradually increase their endurance through daily activities like walking.
Transitioning from a Walker to a Cane
Patients generally transition from a walker to a cane within the first week of hip replacement surgery. It can be variable from one patient to another, and it can depend on what type of hip replacement surgery you have. Generally, this should be done under the guidance of your physical therapist.
How to Use a Cane Correctly After Hip Surgery
Your doctor or physical therapist can help you choose the right kind of walking aid cane, whether standard, offset, or quad, with four prongs on the bottom. Whichever is recommended, here are some general guidelines:
- Unless you're told otherwise, the cane should be held in the opposite hand as your surgical leg.
- First, put all your weight on the leg that feels more secure, and find your balance.
- Then, move the cane and the leg that was operated on forward together.
- As you move, support your weight on both the cane and the operated-upon leg.
- Then step through with your other, more secure leg, and repeat.
Home Exercises to Help with the Transition
After your hip replacement, it’s helpful to pick a goal or activity to work toward resuming. This can be a valuable motivator during physical therapy. Activities like biking or low-impact exercise can become part of the recovery plan as strength builds in the new hip joint. For patients with osteoarthritis, joint replacement surgery offers improved mobility that can lead to greater independence. However, it’s essential to consistently communicate with your healthcare providers and follow their recommendations.
Your physical therapist will help you choose the exercises that are most appropriate for your recovery, but some good starting exercises include:
Standing Hip Abduction
Keep your hip, knee, and foot pointing straight forward and your body straight. Lift your leg out to the side and slowly lower it so your foot is back on the floor. Repeat this ten times. Try to do three to four sessions per day.
Standing Knee Raises
Lift your leg toward your chest and hold it for two to three counts. Don’t lift your knee any higher than your waist. Then, put it back down. Repeat this ten times. Aim for three to four sessions a day.
Standing Hip Extensions
Keep your back straight, place your hands on a wall or railing for balance, then slowly lift your operated-upon leg. Hold it back for two to three counts, and then lower it. Repeat this ten times. Aim for three to four sessions per day.
Check out this post for a complete guide to How to Stretch Safely After a Hip Replacement.
Walking Unaided After Hip Replacement
Most patients can walk unaided within one month of hip replacement surgery, many even sooner. Every patient has a slightly different experience, and this timing may be affected by what type of hip replacement you have. The important thing is to work persistently toward your goals without straining yourself or getting too frustrated by the occasional setback.
Your safety is the primary concern. Everyone responds slightly differently to how their new prosthesis feels, so staying safe and preventing a fall should always be top of mind. Your physical therapist should direct you through these milestones.
When You’re Ready to Walk Unaided After Surgery
This will vary by patient. While it generally occurs within one month of surgery, you should consult your physical therapist to determine when you’re safe and secure enough to walk without assistance.
Tips for Improving Balance and Gait as You Walk Unaided
For most people, returning to their normal balance and gait occurs naturally during their recovery as their body adjusts to what their new hip feels like. In the meantime, though, while you’re working on walking unaided, here are some exercises that can help:
- Strengthening Exercises: To improve stability and strength, perform exercises that target the muscles around your hip, core, and legs.
- Balance Exercises: To challenge your balance, safely practice standing on one leg, heel-toe walks, and other exercises.
- Flexibility Exercises: Gently and regularly stretch to maintain or improve the range of motion in your hip and surrounding joints.
- Treadmill Walking: If outdoor walking is challenging, consider using a treadmill in a controlled environment.
- Regular Physical Activity: Maintain a regular exercise routine to improve your strength, balance, and overall fitness.
Remember: practice makes perfect. Retaining full balance and gait takes time after hip surgery, so be patient and persistent with your rehabilitation. Work with your physical therapist on any problem areas you discover while trying to return to normal activities.
Returning to Normal Daily Activities that Involve Walking
The key is gradually increasing your activity level, walking duration, and distance.
Challenges and Risks of Walking Too Much
Many times, people get excited when they’re no longer experiencing any pain, and they want to immediately get back to doing things they couldn’t do before hip replacement surgery. While this is fantastic, we caution people to remember: You just had surgery. Don’t overdo it! You may experience spikes of increased soreness if you ignore your body’s warnings and push through discomfort early in the recovery process. Always take it easy on yourself after surgery and return to activities gradually. It’s particularly important to avoid falling since that could damage your hip prosthesis.
Warning Signs of Overexertion
Increased soreness or swelling are your body’s attempts to tell you that you’re overdoing it. In such cases it’s best to relax, elevate your leg, and put ice on it.
Strategies for Balancing Activity and Rest During Recovery
Finding a partner who can help you along your journey is helpful for many hip replacement patients. This could be a friend, spouse, or other loved one. Many patients like to set small, incremental goals, such as walking with their partner around the neighborhood, with daily small increases in distance.
When to Seek Medical Advice If Walking Becomes Painful
If anything seems unusual, the best advice is to ask your orthopedic doctor. Generally, any kind of pain that isn’t caused by putting weight on your leg is unusual and something you should alert your physician about.
Long-Term Walking Goals After Hip Replacement
In the long term, the goal is to forget that you had a hip replacement and return to the desired or required level of walking without limitation.
Setting Goals for Daily Walking Habits and Overall Fitness
After a hip replacement, everyone’s goals for walking and recreation are different. The most important thing is that you’re happy. Setting a goal and working with your physical therapist is integral to the full recovery process.
How to Adjust to Different Walking Environments
Specific environments, such as uneven surfaces (i.e., beaches, hilly terrain, cobblestone streets, etc.), are more challenging than flat ground. These are things you can work toward in your recovery. Be mindful the first time you navigate these surfaces to avoid a fall.
Returning to Hobbies and Activities that Involve Walking
Gradually increase your activity, leading to a return to your preferred sport or hobby. Depending on your hobby’s intensity and individual patient factors, the time and therapy required may differ. This is a great goal to tell your physical therapist about when you begin your recovery journey.
FAQs about Recovering from Hip Surgery
How Long Does It Take for Muscles to Stop Hurting After Hip Replacement?
This will vary substantially depending on the type of surgery you received since posterior hip replacement involves making an incision in actual muscle tissue while anterior hip replacement does not. Muscular soreness gradually decreases, but you should ask your surgeon what their typical recovery time entails.
How Long Does It Take to Walk Unaided After Hip Replacement?
Generally, it takes patients about one month to return to walking unaided without a cane. However, every patient is unique, and you should discuss your particular factors with your surgeon and physical therapist. Final unassisted walking can vary based on patient conditioning before surgery and surgical technique.
How Can I Improve My Walking After Hip Surgery?
A gradual program focused on balance, stability, and endurance under the direction of your physical therapist is key to your ultimate success. See some tips listed above for exercises and other ways to improve your balance, gait, and range of motion after surgery.
What Are the Risks of Hip Replacement Surgery?
The most critical concerns after arthroplasty are avoiding complications such as dislocation, infection, nerve damage, and blood clots. Patients should be mindful of signs of infection, such as unusual swelling or redness, and ensure proper care of the soft tissues around the surgical site. Tools like a raised toilet seat can assist in maintaining proper hip alignment and avoid strain on the thigh bone during the healing process.
How Painful is Recovery from Hip Surgery?
Pain during recovery is manageable with care and proper pain medication. Many report that post-surgery pain is far less than pre-surgery hip pain.
Speed Your Recovery from Hip Surgery with Alexander Orthopaedic
Whether preparing for a total hip replacement, a more limited arthroscopic procedure, or exploring options for knee replacement, having trusted experts on your side makes all the difference.
Work closely with your orthopedic surgeon and the wider care team, which might include orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Together, they will help you achieve long-term recovery goals and ensure a smoother transition back to your favorite activities and lifestyles. By proactively managing your recovery and seeking support from specialists such as Alexander Orthopaedic Associates, you can confidently begin your path toward improved mobility and a healthier life.
At Alexander Orthopaedic Associates, we work carefully with our patients to ensure you understand all your options and never feel rushed into a surgical procedure you don’t understand. If you’ve been living with hip pain and want to explore ways to feel better and get back to the activities you love, schedule an appointment today.