Hip replacement surgery is usually offered to people when they have moderate to severe arthritis in the hip which causes pain and/or interferes with activities of daily living. It is a highly successful operation that can bring relief from pain and improve your mobility.
At this point in your recovery, you’ve likely been able to resume some of your day-to-day activities, and you’re finding things like moving around the house or even going for a stroll to be less painful than they were before surgery. That being said, you’re unlikely to be without any pain or stiffness at this point. You may have just started walking without your crutches. Even though the last 6 weeks have been hard, it is still early in your recovery, and you have a lot of progress yet to make
Returning to normal everyday activities will take time. You must be an active participant in your recovery process in order to get there sooner and have a more successful outcome. It is important to have realistic expectations when it comes to your recovery. While recovering, you should avoid bending your hip too far, twisting your hip and turning too quickly. Due to advances in surgical techniques, most movements are permitted with the exception of extreme hip rotation and flexion. Some of these restrictions are relaxed after about 6 weeks However, it is important to stay active in order to maintain strength, flexibility, and endurance in the long term.
Factors that can affect how quickly you get back to normal are as follows:
your age
your general fitness
the condition of your joints and muscles
the job or activities you do
Everyone recovers differently, most people are able to return to office-based work or light activities within 6 weeks. Jobs that require heavy lifting or long periods of standing may take a few more weeks. It is advised to avoid extreme movements, high impact sports or sports with a risk of falling, such as skiing or riding. Your doctor or physiotherapist will be able to guide you more about returning to normal activities
Recovery from a hip replacement is a long process that should result in steady improvement in how you are feeling over many months, today you’re feeling much better than you were 6 weeks ago, just after surgery. You’re also not feeling as good as you will in 3 months’ time, once you’ve built up even more strength and flexibility in your new hip. We’re only human, and it is natural to feel impatient. We want to feel great now, thank you very much!
How long will my artificial hip last?
In 95% of patients, a hip replacement will last at least 10 years and at least 20 years in 85% of patients. Most people who have hip replacement surgery notice less knee pain and a better ability to perform common daily activities. For this reason, your surgeon may recommend you avoid high impact sport such as running and jumping and continue doing exercises that keep your thigh muscles strengthened. Examples of such exercises include cycling and swimming and regular walking.
What else can I do in the long term?
Below is a list of things you can do in the long-term to preserve your hip
Maintaining a regular exercise regime
maintaining a healthy weight and eating healthy
Following your recommended treatment plan and attending all the relevant follow-up appointments
Remember
Full recovery can take up to a year as scar tissue heals and your muscles are restored by exercise.
References
NHS 2019, Recovery- Hip Replacement, viewed 18 December 2020,
Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2020, Total Hip Replacement, viewed 24 December 2020,
Versus Arthritis 2018, Hip Replacement Surgery, viewed 18 December 2020,