The biggest piece of advice I can give is to be patient. Everyone’s recovery is different so don’t listen to those who have had speedy recovery. You will get through this and, in time, be glad you had it done. Wishing you well.

@jennylynn74 Please listen to @mitfit! I have had 5 hip surgeries, and every recovery was different. Doctors and other who tell you you will be "recovered" in 4-6 weeks must be kidding!

Here is where you are at 4-6 weeks-
- Your incision is healed
- Your muscles are beginning to mend and regain strength
- Your body has largely recovered from the anesthesia and blood loss

Here is what is still happening
- Your muscles, tendons and nerves are still healing and tightening up to hold the new hardware.
- You are spending time every day doing PT exercises and walking - boring but necessary - watch TV or listen to something fun.
- If a cement-less implant was used, the bone tissue is still working on adhering to the implant so sometimes it may feel a wee bit unstable.
- Your body is recovering from the "assault" that is joint replacement surgery.
- If corrections have been made (dysplasia, leg length, etc) you are learning a whole new way of moving, so other parts of your body may protest.

Patience, persistence and the "long view" are the keys. You have been hurting for a LONG time. When this is all done, you will be in a better place.
Good luck with your surgery. Feel free to ask as many questions as you have - we have all been there!
Sue

Hello @jennlynn74. 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 other members' experiences with some of your same concerns about how to best recover from a THR.

@mitfit, @susanfalcon52, @avs, @leannestork, and @nancymulloy have all recently discussed their concerns going into surgery or how they are managing in their recovery and may be able to expand on how to set yourself up for the smoothest recovery process possible.

@jennylynn74, it sounds like you are off to a good start with planning for your recovery as you thinking ahead potential pitfalls. It also sounds like you have a responsive medical team that has helped you feel confident in your course of treatment. Have they discussed some of the basics with what you expect after your surgery? Simple things like shower safety and your initial restrictions?

I had anterior THA on the Hana table. Never again!! Since the surgery in 4/22 I've got more back pain, tingling and pins and needles sensation in the left thigh that now goes to the toes and now have peripheral neuropathy. The surgeon admitted he either pinched the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve or damaged it but didn't completely sever it. I can't walk too far, stand too long, sit too long or the pain and tingling becomes worse. The surgeon told me it would go away after a year, symptoms continued, then told me 2 years and now doesn't have any answers. None of the physicians I've seen have any answers. I think some of the problems were caused by the Hana table. Look it up and see what a torture table it is. My back pain is worse since surgery and no spine surgeon will do surgery. What's the point to having doctors? The good thing about the anterior approach is less dislocation than the other 2 locations, but life is not good like I'm living it now. Good luck to you and ask questions.