Total hip replacement - What to expect for recovery

Mine was also bone on bone. I had two surgeries—one to remove hardware inserted to stabilize a simple femur fracture, the second to replace the hip. The doctor used a posterior insertion which seemed to help my mobility right away. I was walking in the hospital the day of surgery and cleared to drive after 10 days.

I had a total hip replacement in January. I had outpatient PT twice a week for about 2 1/2 months . Yes, i could walk with a walker the day of surgery, but it was not easy. I used a walker for 10-14 days. PT at the surgery center recommended a grabber to pick things iff the floor and another contraption to help put my socks on. They also recommended a elevated toiled seat. I got everything but the elevated toilet seat. I put the walker in front of the toilet and used it to help me up and down . Physical therapy is essential.

Expect stiffness and some pain initially...more stiffness. But if you ice alot the pain and stiffness won't be as much. Iceing is the Key. It keeps down the swelling which keeps down the pain and stiffness. Wiggle your toes alot to be sure of no blood clots. Move around and walk as much as you can. If you sit too much, it takes longer to heal.

I had a THR on last Tuesday still numbness and heavy feeling in the thigh area. The staff and Drs. was excellent . I made a excellent choice coming here. Any suggestions on healing quicker.

Hello,
Unfortunately there is no quick fix on healing faster. I had my hips replaced in December of 2020, 26 days apart. Just make sure you ice and do your exercises. Nobody prepares you for the numbness in the thigh. It's going to take time for that to go away, so don't stress if it's not going away as fast as you had hoped. It took me 18 to 24 months to feel like I never had my hips replaced, but so worth the healing time. Just as my hips started to feel great my knees went bad. So now I'm recovering from 2 total knee replacements, right one 20 weeks and left 13 weeks out. I wish there was a secret to healing faster but it definitely takes time. Good luck and I hope this helps.

I have had a hip, knee and shoulder replaced. I found that following the exercises, ice, rest, exercise, ice, rest —over and over again to be the most helpful. I have an ice machine that circulates cold water to the surgery area. I used that faithfully to keep swelling down. And to be kind to yourself. (My other knee is scheduled for 10/3, so I hope i listen to my own words. ) good luck!

I have to agree with the other posts. I've just had my third (and final) hip replacement on my right side due to previous infections. Each recovery was more challenging than the previous. Of course the 12-year span between the surgeries have something to do with it, but my doctors agree it can take even years before I get what may be considered 'normal' feelings back in my leg.

So far, so good though. Exercise seems to have made the biggest difference for me; physical therapy has lead the way. It's really up to the patient to stay with the program. Although I'm four months out of surgery it seems like recovery is slow, but taking a look at the big picture I've come really far!

Hi @avs. Glad to hear that your surgery went well and your experience with your doctors have so far been excellent. You may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled:

- Total hip replacement - What to expect for recovery
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/total-hip-replacement/
I did this so you could read through many other members' experiences with recovery after a total hip replacement and so that members like @roxxxy2626, @brockagain and @jacquelinegreen who have all recently discussed their recoveries and how they managed after surgery.

@avs, how are you doing with your pain levels so recently after surgery? How quickly will you be starting PT?

I’m ten weeks out from hip replacement surgery and have no pain. If I sit too long, I limp when I first get up.
I am very glad that I had the surgery.
As for numbness in thigh, yes, it is still completely numb from hip to knee.

My pain levels are not good. But I’m managing it. I will begin my at home PT today . I still have the numbness in the thigh - knee.