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What is normal recovery time/ progress for total hip replacement?
I’m 5 1/2 months post right hip replacement and I haven’t experienced the miraculous pain free days that others rave about. It seems some days I’m making progress and then I’ll have more pain again. I try to walk 2 -3 miles per day and do some gardening, biking etc. I recognize that my pain is different than before my surgery, but am disappointed that I can’t walk better (longer distance, faster), cross my right leg all the way over my left, and that I don’t have good range of motion, it seems. Walking up stairs and putting full weight on my operative leg can be painful. I continue to do stretches given by my PT.
Is this slow progress normal? Am I doing too much? Too little?
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@ljbf What's normal? Too many unknowns; age, physical condition pre-operation; what you have been doing post-operation; are you active? working out (if so, doing what) and how many times/week; who are "doctors" and what experience do they have? your diet; weight; etc, etc.
Why aren't your doctors concerned? Is this something they see often in their experience?
How many anterior hip replacements have they done?
@ljbf You didn't mention your age, but if you are in your mid-70's, you should expect up to a year to recover. Healing is pretty slow at older ages. You should best be doing standups from a chair, doing at least 100 reps once or twice a day if you can tolerate it. And you can ice it if you get to too much pain. Generally, do not go past the point of feeling pain during your PT, just break it down into fewer sets reps throughout the day; take your pain relievers ahead of your PT. Once you change your PT routine, it will be 2 weeks before you see an improvement.
You maybe overdoing the exercise. Slow down a little and see if that helps.
I am 86 and had both hips done five months apart last year.. Almost a year for my right hip and five months on my left hip. I haven’t had any pain in either one since the hip surgery. I do daily strengthening exercises in my legs, also some stretching. I do walk, mostly in my home or going to Walmart, and about 10 minutes on my treadmill. I did PT before surgeries and just finished PT now.
In a year’s time, you will feel much better. But I do suggest that you slow down for another two or three months at least. I’m sure it’s hard when you’re young or have so much energy. It’s best to let yourself heal slowly.
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