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Hip

Hip Replacement (Total or Partial) Rehab: Easy Guide

This guide is for people recovering from a hip replacement surgery (full or partial). It explains what to expect, precautions to follow, and what exercises to do at different stages.

Precautions After Surgery

Your doctor will tell you which movements to avoid based on how the surgery was done. These might include:

  • Posterior Approach (from the back):
  • Don’t bend your hip more than 90°
  • Don’t turn your leg inward
  • Don’t cross your legs
  • Anterior Approach (from the front):
  • Don’t lie on your stomach or do bridges
  • Don’t stretch your leg behind your body
  • Keep a pillow under your knee when lying down
  • Other Types (Lateral, Limited, or Global):
  • Avoid extreme movements or anything that feels uncomfortable
  • Ask your doctor for your specific precautions
  • You’ll usually need to follow these rules until your first post-op appointment.

How Much Weight Can You Put on the Leg?

This depends on your surgeon’s instructions:

  • Most patientscan put as much weight as they can tolerate.
  • Some may need to be partial weight-bearingor toe-touch only if the surgery was more complex.

Special Cases – “Troch Off” (Trochanter Precautions)

If part of the hip bone (trochanter) was moved during surgery:

  • You may only be allowed to move your leg with help (like a leg lifter).
  • You should not do side leg raisesunless your surgeon says it’s okay.

Phase I: Hospital Stay (Days 0–3)

  • Goals:
  • Get in and out of bed safely
  • Start walking with a walker or crutches
  • Learn your movement precautions
  • Manage pain and swelling
  • Start basic home exercises
  • What You’ll Do:
  • Gentle leg movements: ankle pumps, heel slides, seated leg lifts
  • Muscle tightening exercises (glutes, thighs)
  • Practice walking with support
  • Learn to climb stairs if you’re going home
  • Learn how to do daily activities safely (with Occupational Therapy help)
  • You’re Ready to Leave When You Can:
  • Walk 100 feet with a walker or crutches
  • Get in/out of bed and sit on a chair or toilet
  • Follow your precautions and exercise plan
  • Go up and down stairs (if needed)

Phase II: Motion & Strengthening (Weeks 1–6)

  • Goals:
  • Start outpatient physiotherapy (by Week 2)
  • Improve hip movement (without breaking precautions)
  • Build strength in hip, core, and opposite leg
  • Improve balance and walking
  • Boost endurance with safe exercises (bike, pool, walking)
  • What You’ll Do:
  • Weeks 1–3:
  • Continue gentle leg movements and stretches
  • Walk with a walker or cane (try to stop using them by Week 3)
  • Practice standing, sitting, and posture
  • Begin balance exercises (e.g., shifting weight side to side)
  • Weeks 3–6:
  • Add leg strengthening exercises (step-ups, leg raises, sit-to-stand)
  • Start walking on uneven surfaces
  • Do light functional tasks (squatting, pushing, lifting)
  • Use a stationary bike (if allowed) or start swimming when healed
  • You’re Ready to Move to the Next Phase When:
  • You can bend your hip up to 110°
  • Your leg muscles work well
  • You can walk 800 feet with no limp or cane
  • Swelling and pain are minimal

Phase III: Getting Stronger (Weeks 6–12)

  • Goals:
  • Build strength in both legs
  • Get back to most daily activities and hobbies
  • Improve balance and control
  • What You’ll Do:
  • Continue previous exercises with more repetitions or resistance
  • Add more challenging balance tasks
  • Do endurance exercises: walking, biking, elliptical, swimming
  • Practice bending, standing, and moving smoothly
  • You’re Ready for the Final Phase When:
  • Your legs are strong (4+ out of 5 strength rating)
  • You have little or no pain or swelling

Phase IV: Return to Sports & Full Activity (Weeks 12–16)

  • Goals:
  • Return to hobbies and sports (as appropriate)
  • Keep building strength and stamina
  • Improve movement coordination
  • What You’ll Do:
  • Continue strength and balance training
  • Practice activities like carrying, pushing, squatting
  • Do sport-specific drills if needed
  • Return to work and regular tasks
  • Allowed Sports:
  • Low-impact sports like:
  • Swimming
  • Golf
  • Walking
  • Biking
  • Doubles tennis
  • Dancing
  • High-impact sports like running, football, and basketball are usually discouraged unless you have lots of experience.

✅ You’re Ready for Discharge When:

  • You can move your hip without pain
  • You walk normally without support
  • You climb stairs one foot at a time
  • Your leg strength is nearly normal
  • Your balance is steady
  • You can do your home exercise program independently
  • You’ve returned to your previous level of function

Dr. Girinivasan Chellamuthu is an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon specialising in Sports Surgeries,  Upper Limb Surgeries and Complex Trauma Cases. Renowned for his patient-centred approach, he is deeply invested in advancing regenerative orthopaedic solutions and translational research to enhance outcomes and patient care.

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Dr. Girinivasan Chellamuthu is an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon specialising in Sports Surgeries,  Upper Limb Surgeries and Complex Trauma Cases. Renowned for his patient-centred approach, he is deeply invested in advancing regenerative orthopaedic solutions and translational research to enhance outcomes and patient care.

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