Hip replacement surgery, typically reserved for those who suffer from hip joint pain and deterioration, involves adding an artificial hip joint into the body for pain reduction and better range of motion. Because this is a major surgery, you may find the recovery process arduous. Getting used to moving around with your new hip will take around six weeks, after which you can begin adding low-impact exercise to your daily routine with your doctor's approval.
Recovery Timeline
After your hip replacement surgery, you'll recover in the hospital for a few days. This gives doctors a chance to ensure that your incision is healing properly and assess your pain level and your need for pain medication. While in the hospital, you'll rest your hip. When you're released, you'll be asked to complete certain range-of-motion stretches while recovering. These will include stretching while lying down to practicing supported walking with an aide or with crutches. These are vital to the recovery process as they help to acclimate your body to the artificial hip.
Daily Living Activities
Between three and six weeks after your surgery you should be ready to begin resuming your daily living activities. Activities such as going up the stairs, walking around the house and bending to pick things up likely will seem difficult at first. You'll need to use crutches for up to three to six weeks, which may cause challenges when maneuvering around your home. Using an apron to carry things around your house to keep your hands free can help you adapt to the challenge of learning to live with your new hip.
Formal Exercise
Once you've recovered fully and your doctor has given her approval, you can begin formal exercise again. While your artificial hip is stronger than your natural hip, you should still avoid high-impact exercise which could cause dislocation or the expedited deterioration of the equipment in your body, notes the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Low-impact exercise such as water aerobics, walking, using an elliptical machine or physical therapy activities can help adapt to life with your artificial hip by acclimating you to the change in movement necessary to walk and exercise comfortably.
Potential Problems
While hip replacement surgery is generally both safe and successful, problems during the recovery process could derail your lifestyle. Common problems involve blood clot risks as a result of inactivity during the healing process. By following your doctor's and your physical therapist's suggestions for physical activity, you can avoid the risk. You may also be more prone to falls during the recovery process, so ensure that you have friends or family members to assist you, you avoid stairs for the first three weeks of recovery and you use your crutches, advises the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
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