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, but it’s important to ask any specific questions to your surgeon in order to receive a personalized answer.

Types of Hip Surgery

Total hip replacement is one of the most consistently successful surgeries performed 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, where the surgeon begins at the back of the hip, close to the buttocks.

Results may differ between the two procedures, and even amongst different surgeons, but, in general, patients who undergo Direct Anterior Hip Replacement recover faster, because no muscle is cut during the procedure.

Guidelines for Walking During the First Few Weeks After 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.

In general, most patients use a walker for several days, transition to a cane, and eventually to no assistive devices at all. The most important factor is to be safe and avoid having a fall.

Generally, at the two-week milestone patients will be using 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 gradually.

The Role of Physical Therapy in Building Endurance and Strength for Walking

Depending on your age, health, physical condition, and the type of hip replacement surgery you receive, physical therapy may be recommended as you recover. In a posterior hip replacement, incisions are made in muscle, so many patients may benefit from strengthening muscles once they’re cleared to do so by their surgeon. In an anterior hip replacement, no muscle is cut, and so the recovery is much faster and generally patients do not need strength training. Instead, they simply gradually increase their endurance through day-to-day activities, such as 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 cane for you, whether it’s a standard cane, an offset cane, or a quad cane with four prongs on the bottom.

• The cane should be held in the opposite hand as your surgical leg, unless you’re told otherwise.
• To start, 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.

Exercises to Help with the Transition

After your hip replacement, it’s helpful to pick a goal or activity to work toward resuming normally. This can be a helpful motivator during your physical therapy. 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

Keeping your hip, knee, and foot pointing straight forward and your body straight, lift your leg out to the side then slowly lower it so your foot is back on the floor. Repeat this ten times. Try to do three four sessions over the course of a 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

Keeping your back straight, place your hands on a wall or railing for balance, then lift your operated upon leg backward slowly. Hold it back for two to three counts then lower it. Repeat this ten times. Aim for three to four sessions per day.

Check out this post for a full 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, and many even sooner than that. 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.

The main concern is your safety. Everyone responds slightly differently to how their new prosthesis feels, and the most important factor is keeping you safe and preventing a fall. These milestones should be met under the direction of your physical therapist.

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 with 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 your normal balance and gait as you walk occurs naturally in the course of your recovery as your body adjusts to what your new hip feels like. In the meantime, though, once you’re working on walking unaided, here are some types of exercises that can help:

• Strengthening Exercises: Perform exercises that target the muscles around your hip, core, and legs to improve stability and strength.
• Balance Exercises: Safely practice standing on one leg, heel-toe walks, and other exercises to challenge your balance.
• 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 continue improving your strength, balance, and overall fitness.

Remember: practice makes perfect. It takes time to regain full balance and gait after hip surgery, so be patient and persistent with your rehabilitation. Work with your physical therapist on any problem areas that you discover while you’re trying to return to normal, daily activities.

Returning to Normal Daily Activities that Involve Walking

The key is to gradually increase your activity level and 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 rapidly get back to what they couldn’t do prior to hip replacement surgery. While this is fantastic, we also caution people to remember they just had surgery and not to 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 make sure to 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 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 the distances walked.

When to Seek Medical Advice If Walking Becomes Painful

If anything seems out of the ordinary, 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

Long-term, the goal is to forget you had a hip replacement, and return to desired or required walking without limitation.

Setting Goals for Daily Walking Habits and Overall Fitness

Everyone is different when it comes to their desired recreational activities after a hip replacement. The most important thing is that you’re happy. Setting a goal and working with your physical therapist to build towards this goal is an important part of the recovery process.

How to Adjust to Different Walking Environments

Certain environments, such as uneven surfaces (i.e. beaches, hilly terrain, cobblestone streets, etc.) are more challenging than simple, flat ground. These are things you can work up towards 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 as well as individual patient factors, the time and therapy required may differ. This is a great goal to alert your therapist to 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. In general, muscular soreness gradually decreases over time, 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. Every patient is unique, however, and you should discuss your particular factors with your surgeon and your physical therapist. Final unassisted walking can vary based on patient conditioning before surgery as well as 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 of the tips listed above for exercises and other ways to improve your balance, gait, and range of motion after surgery.

Speed Your Recovery from Hip Surgery with Alexander Orthopaedic

Whether you’re receiving a total hip replacement or a more limited arthroscopic procedure, understanding your surgery and the subsequent healing process will help you recover as quickly as possible. At Alexander Orthopaedic Associates, we work carefully with our patients to make sure you understand all your options and never feel rushed into a 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.