How Long Does it Take to Recover From Hip Replacement?

It wouldn’t be hard to believe that almost every single one of the estimated 300,000 people who undergo hip replacement surgery every year want to know how long it will take to recover from the procedure and be able to get back to normal. Many people who have suffered from faulty hip replacements have decided to pursue a Stryker hip replacement lawsuit.

There are many factors that will influence how long it takes you to recover from the surgery so you can move about normally and perform your usually activities of daily living. However, the typical recover will take between one and six months.

Initially, you can expect to stay in the hospital for two or three days. When you go home, you can expect to use a walker to help you get around and to be on medications to help control pain. Over the next four to six weeks your goals will be to first, walk around the house using assistive tools and medications to control pain. You second goal will be to be able to walk around the house without a walker or the need for pain meds. Your final goal will be to be able to walk a distance equal to about two blocks around your house, without the need for a walker, medications, or stops to rest.

Your long-term recovery goals include the proper healing of the surgical site and the soft tissue and bone involved in the implant procedure. Other goals include being able to return to work and all your normal daily activities without pain, and actually just feeling like you are normal. The full recovery process generally takes four to six months after initial surgery.

There are factors that can influence your recovery time, including your attitude. You will have to work hard through your recovery and you should expect to feel pain and discomfort early on. Take comfort in knowing that these will only last for a little while as long as nothing goes wrong. Part of preventing mishaps is preparing your home for your return.

You need to remove throw-rugs, runners, and anything else on the floor that could cause your walker or your foot to catch. Also, set up a recovery station in the area where you be spending most of your early recovery time. For example, push a side table beside your favorite chair and stock it with your medicines, the TV remote, your phone, paper and pencil, and anything you will want or use, like a book, extra tissues, etc. Follow your doctor’s orders and take physical therapy seriously, and your recovery could be far less than six months.

Keep in mind that some hip implants can fail prematurely, or in the case of some metal-on-metal devices, shed metal ions into body causing tissue and bone loss around the implant which can allow it to loosen, dislocate, and fracture. If this occurs, you may have to undergo a second surgery to have the device repaired or replaced. Speak to your physician about the risks associated with your device before your implant surgery to learn more.