Total hip replacement - What to expect for recovery

I had a 2 month postop check and doc pleased with X-rays. He said numbness and swelling can last for 6 months.

I had a THR on my right hip (bone-on-bone osteoarthritis) a week ago yesterday. I am 64 years old and in pretty good health. I used a walker for the first 6 days just to be more certain I wouldn’t fall but today I am walking slowly without it (or a cane). I have been cooking easy meals for myself since day 3 post surgery since my helpers needed to return home and I live alone. I have been following all instructions for meds, ice, exercises, elevation and rest and am very pleased with my progress. Home PT twice a week for 3 weeks is what I have been subscribed. I am so happy I had this done. The pain is minimal - more tightness in my right thigh than anything else. No opioid pain meds needed since I got home the day after surgery. On just Tylenol and celebrex and a low dose aspiren now. Antibiotic and steroid were both finished yesterday. I hope this info helps others. I also had a bit of anxiety about how this would go because I knew I would be alone during much of the recovery but it is going fine. I live in a one story house with just 3 steps to front door. Been getting my mail from the street side mailbox the last three days. You must be sure to get your walks in for the number and length of walk for where you are in your recovery process. It really does seem a very quick and easy recovery so far. Hope you have a great surgery experience and great results!

Amazing results Bill. Good for you!

Thanks Katie. I had both knees replaced last year, I'm a 68 y/o male. I did all the rehab and rehab work and while a TKR takes a little longer than a THR for recovery, everything worked out just fine.

Good for you for doing the work. A lot of people think they're done when they wake up in the recovery room. That is NOT how joint replacement works. The patient does most of the work. It's worth it.

I had my total hip replacement surgery March 1 of this year. So I'm six months down the road. I did the pt and was doing well, then started having so much pain in hip that I quit pt. I still have horrible pain in the hip. Drs. doing MRI Sept. 11 to see if there's a problem in my back. I wish I could get some relief. Nothing really helps. I'm frustrated.

Thanks!

For the benefit of the group, I went from walker to cane 13 days after replacement surgery. (As a reminder, I had 2 surgeries 6 weeks apart.) I would say my physical progress is better than average, energy not where it needs to be yet.

Onward!
Bill

I would say your physical progress is due to your efforts. As for energy, who wouldn't be a bit tired with 2 surgeries in 6 weeks. Wow!

Hello,
Where is your pain in the hip?
Is it in the incision area or the groin area?

I was surprised at the stiffness. Needed help lifting my legs to get in and out of bed. And had to pee every 2-3 hours all night long, so poor husband didn’t get much rest either. I also used a commode in the bedroom the first week or so since I was afraid I wouldn’t get to the bathroom in time. We do have one of those toilets that is higher than the standard one, but I still found it hard to sit down and get up due to the stiffness and groin pain. I got a sock helper but it doesn’t seem to work for short socks, so my husband helps me get shoes and socks on. Clipping toenails is not possible either yet!
I’m having my right hip replaced in November, so get to do it again but at least I know what to expect.

Hi everyone... just out of hospital for three weeks with my full hip replacement. I can tell you the first week to make sure you have nice soft ice packs and lots of cushions.. especially one under your knee helps... in fact they are life .. If you have a recliner chair even better. Make sure you have someone help you for the first week because nobody ever tells you about not being able to do anything at all. Second week i felt better but was still on my walking frame. third week upto one crutch now and trying to come off the mountain of medication i was on. Take Care everyone