Total hip replacement recovery week by week looks different for everyone, but there are some common milestones. Most people start walking with help within a day of surgery. By six weeks, everyday tasks often feel easier. Getting your full strength back takes longer, sometimes up to a year.
You’re also in good company. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) reports that more than 450,000 total hip replacements are performed in the United States each year, and it describes the surgery as one of the most successful operations in all of medicine.
Knowing what to expect can make recovery less stressful. Here’s how the healing process usually goes and where physical therapy fits in.
Table of Contents
How Long Is Hip Replacement Recovery?
How long is hip replacement recovery for most people? The answer depends on your health, strength, and how well you move before surgery.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), says that for many people, much of the recovery happens in the first two months. Full recovery keeps going over the following year as you get stronger and more active.
Guidance from AAOS, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), and NIAMS points to these common milestones:
- First 24 hours: Many patients begin walking with a walker or crutches.
- Weeks 3 to 6: Getting dressed, walking indoors, and doing light chores become easier.
- Months 2 to 3: Walking improves as your leg muscles get stronger.
- Months 3 to 6: Many people can enjoy low-impact sports again.
- Months 6 to 12: Balance, strength, and movement may keep improving.
These are general timelines. Some people recover sooner, while others need extra time and support.
Total Hip Replacement Recovery Week by Week Timeline
Your new hip needs time to heal, even when you start feeling better. Here’s what recovery often looks like during the first year.
| Stage | What to Focus On | What to Expect |
| Days 1 to 3 | Getting up and walking safely | Short walks help; some patients go home the same day. According to AAOS, a hospital stay typically lasts 1 to 2 days. Before going home, you usually need to get in and out of bed on your own, walk on a level surface with a walker or crutches, and manage two or three stairs. |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Moving around the house | Using a walker or crutches and doing gentle exercises. Stitches or staples are usually removed about two weeks after surgery. Moderate to severe swelling is common in the first few weeks. |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Walking more comfortably | Some patients switch to a cane. AAOS suggests making the switch once you can walk and stand for more than 10 minutes without putting weight on your walker or crutches. |
| Weeks 5 to 6 | Returning to daily routines | Light chores and short outings become easier. If you are using an exercise bike, AAOS suggests slowly increasing the tension at about 4 to 6 weeks as you get stronger. |
| Weeks 7 to 12 | Building strength and balance | Longer walks and better control of your movements. AAOS notes that, no matter which surgical approach was used, most patients can do most of the movements on their precautions list again after 6 to 8 weeks. |
| Months 3 to 6 | Getting back to activities | Returning to approved exercise and low-impact sports. AAOS notes that mild to moderate swelling can last for 3 to 6 months after surgery. |
| Months 6 to 12 | Improving movement | Continued gains in strength, balance, and comfort. |
When can you drive again?
AAOS says it is usually safe to start driving again once you no longer take opioid pain medicine and your strength and reflexes are closer to normal. A systematic review in Hip International found that the average return-to-driving time recommended in published studies was 4.5 weeks, and that braking performance returned to its pre-surgery level at about six weeks. Your surgeon will tell you when it’s safe to return to driving.
Don’t rush through these stages. Walking without a limp matters more than putting away your cane by a certain date.
Why Does Physical Therapy After Hip Replacement Matter?
After surgery, simple things like getting out of a chair or climbing stairs can feel harder. Your muscles need time and practice to support your new hip.
Physical therapy after hip replacement helps you rebuild that strength while learning to move safely.
Your therapist may work with you on:
- Walking: Taking even steps without leaning or limping.
- Leg strength: Building the muscles around your hip and thighs.
- Balance: Feeling steadier while standing, turning, and walking.
- Stairs: Learning safer ways to go up and down steps.
- Daily tasks: Getting into bed, rising from chairs, and moving around your home.
5 Key Goals of Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
Walking
Even steps without limping
Leg Strength
Stronger hip and thigh muscles
Balance
Steadier standing and turning
Stairs
Safer stair climbing
Daily Tasks
Easier bed and chair transfers
There’s research behind these exercises, too. NIAMS notes that research shows an exercise and rehabilitation program can help you recover from hip replacement surgery. A 2026 review in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders examined 22 studies involving 1,782 patients. It found that structured exercise after surgery improved hip abduction strength in the short to mid-term. These are the muscles on the outer side of your hip, which play a key role in walking. Exercise also improved how patients rated their own function early in recovery. The long-term benefits were less clear.
Not everyone needs months of therapy at a clinic. Some recover well with a home exercise plan, while others need more hands-on help.
At Precision Sports in Forney, Texas, our outpatient orthopedic physical therapy and post-surgical rehabilitation services focus on helping you move better. We check your walking, strength, and balance, then guide your exercises based on your surgeon’s plan.
Some patients may benefit from online therapy as well. Ten randomized trials involving 632 hip replacement patients were combined in a 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Disability and Rehabilitation. It discovered that patients adhered to their telerehabilitation programs more regularly and that the overall effects of online and in-person rehabilitation were comparable. Long-term research is still required.
Is Anterior Hip Replacement Recovery Faster?
Anterior hip replacement recovery may feel easier during the first few weeks. With this approach, the surgeon reaches the hip joint from the front rather than the back.
Some patients can move more comfortably early on. They may also have fewer movement restrictions, depending on their surgeon’s instructions.
However, those early differences often become smaller as recovery continues. Long-term results are generally similar between anterior and posterior hip replacement.
This is supported by research. Nine randomized trials involving 754 hip replacements were combined in a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Research. At two and four weeks, patients who underwent the anterior approach scored higher on a standard hip function test and reported less pain during the first three days. The difference was no longer statistically significant by 12 weeks and a year later, and the rates of complications, including dislocation, were comparable.
Does that mean you can bend, twist, or sleep however you want? Not necessarily. Your surgeon’s rules still apply, regardless of which approach was used.
What Is Hip Replacement Recovery Time for a 70-Year-Old?
Being 70 doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a difficult recovery. AAOS notes that there are no absolute age limits for hip replacement, and most people who have the surgery are between 50 and 80 years old. Someone who walked regularly before surgery may progress differently from someone who already struggled with balance.
NIAMS explains that how quickly and how fully you recover can depend on your overall health and fitness level before surgery. If your surgery is still ahead, NIAMS suggests asking your surgeon about exercises to strengthen your core, upper body, and leg muscles beforehand.
If you’re recovering from hip surgery at 70 or older, a few things can help:
- Keep up with the walking and exercises your care team recommends.
- Continue using your walker or cane until you feel steady and receive clearance.
- Ask someone to help with shopping, meals, and heavier chores.
- Keep your follow-up visits, even when your hip starts feeling better.
Many older adults manage light daily activities again within several weeks. Others need longer, especially if they had trouble walking before surgery.
Your progress matters more than your age.
When Should You Call Your Care Team?
Some soreness and swelling are expected after hip surgery. However, certain symptoms should never be ignored.
The AAOS warns that infections, blood clots, and joint problems can happen after hip replacement.
Contact your surgeon immediately if you have:
- New pain, tenderness, or swelling in one calf
- Fever, chills, or worsening redness around your incision
- New wound drainage or pain that keeps getting worse
Seek emergency care if you suddenly develop severe hip pain or cannot bear weight.
Call 911 for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
Is six weeks enough for full hip replacement recovery?
Not usually. By six weeks, many people can walk more easily and handle light household tasks. Your muscles may still feel weak, and longer walks can be tiring. Strength and balance can keep improving for several more months.
When can I stop using a walker after hip replacement?
Many people move from a walker to a cane within the first few weeks. Others need walking support for a month or two. The important thing is being able to walk steadily without limping or feeling unsafe. Ask your therapist before making the switch.
Can I climb stairs after hip replacement surgery?
Yes, and many patients practice stairs before leaving the hospital. Your therapist will show you how to use the handrail and place your feet safely. You may need to take one step at a time at first. Stairs usually become easier as your legs grow stronger.
How long do I need physical therapy after hip replacement?
It depends on how you’re healing and what you want to get back to doing. Some people do well with home exercises and a few therapy visits. Others benefit from several months of guided care, especially when walking or balance remains difficult. Your therapist can help decide when you’re ready to continue on your own.
Can I sleep on my side after hip replacement?
You may be able to, but check with your surgeon first. Some patients must avoid certain sleeping positions while their hip heals. Your care team might recommend placing a pillow between your knees. Don’t force a position if it causes pain.
Can I play sports after hip replacement?
Many people return to sports once their hip has healed enough. AAHKS says most patients who resume their previous sports do so within four to six months. Walking, swimming, cycling, and golf are common low-impact choices. Ask your surgeon before trying activities that involve running, jumping, or sudden turns.
Recovering from hip replacement isn’t about reaching every milestone on an exact date. What matters is feeling steadier, getting stronger, and returning to the activities you enjoy. If you’re having trouble walking or want guidance with your exercises, Precision Sports can help. We work with patients in Forney, Mesquite, and East Dallas as they recover from hip surgery. Book your physical therapy appointment today and get help moving comfortably again.
