Overview
After hip or knee replacement surgery, the primary goal during the first two weeks is to allow your body to heal while regaining your range of motion. It’s essential to keep your activity level low during this period, focusing on reducing swelling and giving your body the time it needs to recover.
Activity After Hip Replacement
First Two Weeks: Low Activity Focus
For most patients, formal physical therapy is not necessary in the recovery phase. This is especially true in the first two weeks after surgery. Instead, a simple, consistent routine of light activities at home is recommended:
→ For Hip Replacements:
- Walking: Focus initially on short trips and allow swelling to decrease before starting more intense activity. Walking short distances inside your home and gently moving your hip within a comfortable range of motion is recommended. There are no strict movement precautions unless Dr. Montgomery or his team has told you otherwise.
- You should use a walker initially, but you may stop using the walker and transition to a cane or to no assistance as you feel comfortable and safe to do so. If you are concerned we can send a prescription for physical therapy to help you wean yourself off assistance devices.
- Leg Elevation: After your walking and when at rest, elevate your leg as you are able. Elevation helps reduce swelling and discomfort, the foot should be raised above your shoulder for best effect. You may apply ice as needed.
- Exercise routine for first 6 week: Perform the following exercise routine 3-4 times per day. Your goal is to recover and slowly build confidence and motion in your new hip. Do not overwork your hip, it is possible for you to cause swelling and inflammation in your muscles by working too hard which can set back your progress. Aim for small steady improvements.
After your 6 week visit
After the 6 week visit you should typically be cleared for activity as tolerated and encouraged to discontinue canes and walkers if you have not already done so. That does not mean you will be fully recovered! There is still work to do but strengthening takes time and this increases as we age. Please review the following video for exercises you can do to build your strength back into your operative leg.
Additional Resources
The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons website is an excellent resource for additional information and can be found here:
Returning to sports after total hip replacement:
https://hipkneeinfo.org/hip-care/resuming-sports-after-hip-replacement/
Returning to sexual activity after total joint replacement:
