Total Hip Replacement

Hip replacement has a recovery of 6–12 weeks for most daily activities, with full recovery up to 12 months. Hip precautions are critical in the first 6–12 weeks to prevent dislocation.

Hip Precautions — CRITICAL

Avoid deep hip extension (no deep lunges)
Avoid sudden pivoting or twisting on the operative leg, especially with the foot planted.
Avoid combining hip extension + external rotation (stepping backward while turning the foot outward).
Be cautious with low chairs, low cars, or deep sit-to-stand positions that force the hip into end-range extension or strain.

What to Expect — The First 2 Weeks

Swelling and bruising around the hip, thigh, and groin are expected and may travel downward toward the knee — this is normal.
Some numbness or tingling around the outer thigh may occur due to nerve stretch — usually resolves over weeks to months.
Your operative leg may appear slightly longer at first. This typically normalizes as swelling resolves.
Please contact the office (713) 436-3488, once discharged home to schedule your postoperative follow-up visit for 2 weeks after surgery
The first year after joint replacement requires close monitoring, plan to attend follow-up visits at the 2 week, 6-week, 3-month and 1 year postoperatively

Activity & Weight-Bearing

Most patients are weight-bearing as tolerated immediately with a walker until you are stable and then you can transition to a cane in about 2 weeks. The cane is to be used in the opposite hand of your surgical side for 3 months postoperatively to prevent an abnormal gait.
Clearance for driving is patient dependent. Generally, you can drive 1 week after left hip surgery and 2 weeks after right hip surgery.
Typically, patients may return to work within 3 to 6 weeks postoperatively. If your occupation involves being on your feet most of the day, climbing, or a long commute, this may need to be extended.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is one of most important parts of surgical recovery. We recommend outpatient physical therapy; however, if you require other accommodations, please contact the office before surgery.
Physical therapy should begin 2 to 3 days after surgery.
You will complete 2-3 days/week for 4-6 weeks of PT after surgery. Physical therapist will also provide you with a home exercise program for the off days.

Wound Care

A bulky dressing is applied in the operating room. This may be removed 2 days after surgery. You will have an adhesive bandage over your incision. This will stay on for the first week to 2 weeks postop. (Notify the office if you have an adhesive allergy)
Showering is usually permitted after 24-48 hours; keeping the adhesive dressing intact, clean and dry with saran wrap. Do not submerge in water (no baths, pools, hot tubs) until fully healed — typically 4-6 weeks.
Some drainage and mild bleeding through the dressing in the first week to 10 days is normal.
The sutures that were placed during your surgery are absorbable.

Swelling Management

Ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off — always with a cloth barrier to protect skin and always after physical therapy.
Elevate the leg (heel above heart level) for at least 2–3 hours per day.
Significant swelling may persist for 3–6 months. This is normal.

DVT Prevention/Home medication

Please resume all normal medications after surgery once discharged from the hospital.
Take your prescribed blood thinner exactly as directed. Do not skip doses.
Wear your compression stockings on the operative leg as instructed. Generally, 2-3 weeks post operation during the day.
Walk short distances frequently throughout the day.

Antibiotic prophylactics

Should you have dental cleaning/surgery, bowel, or bladder surgery, antibiotics are required to help with an infection of your replacement. This should typically be prescribed by the treating doctor or dentist. We do recommend this lifelong.
Please wait 3 months after your replacement prior to any dental cleanings

Call Us or Go to the ER If You Experience:

Fever above 101.5°F
Increasing wound drainage, redness, or warmth
Wound that is opening or separating
A ‘pop’ sensation followed by sudden pain or inability to bear weight
Foot that is turned abnormally after a fall or awkward movement
Calf swelling, pain, or tenderness, redness throughout the leg, altered mental status, sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (call 911 immediately)