Physical therapy should begin immediately after total hip replacement surgery, typically starting in the hospital within 24 hours of your procedure. Early mobilization is crucial for preventing blood clots, reducing stiffness, and achieving optimal outcomes from your new hip. Most patients begin standing and walking short distances with assistance on the first or second day post-surgery. Once you’re discharged home, at-home physical therapy should continue within 24-48 hours to maintain momentum in your recovery. The first 6-12 weeks after surgery are critical for regaining range of motion and preventing complications. Starting therapy promptly during this window significantly improves your long-term function and reduces the risk of developing permanent limitations. We coordinate with your surgeon to ensure you receive appropriate exercises and precautions specific to your surgical approach. Delaying therapy allows muscles to weaken, scar tissue to form, and movement patterns to become abnormal, making recovery harder and longer. At-home therapy starting immediately after hospital discharge provides the consistent, expert care needed for the best possible recovery from hip replacement.

Hip precautions after total hip replacement prevent dislocation of your new joint while tissues heal, typically for 6-12 weeks post-surgery depending on your surgeon’s approach. Common precautions include: avoid bending your hip past 90 degrees (don’t sit in low chairs or bend to tie shoes), don’t cross your legs or ankles, don’t twist or pivot on your surgical leg, and don’t turn your toes inward. These restrictions protect your hip while the muscles, tendons, and joint capsule heal around the implant. Your specific precautions depend on which surgical approach your surgeon used (posterior, anterior, lateral), as each has different restrictions. Our physical therapists teach you how to safely perform daily activities like dressing, bathing, getting in and out of bed, and using the toilet while following precautions. We provide adaptive equipment recommendations and demonstrate safe movement techniques that become second nature. Violating precautions can cause hip dislocation, requiring emergency treatment and potentially revision surgery. Following precautions carefully during the healing period ensures your new hip stays in place and functions properly for years to come.

Total hip replacement rehabilitation typically takes 8-12 weeks of active physical therapy to achieve functional independence, though recovery continues for up to a year. Most patients attend therapy sessions 2-3 times weekly initially, decreasing to once weekly as they progress. The first 2-3 weeks focus on pain management, basic mobility, and learning safe movement with precautions. Weeks 4-8 emphasize increasing range of motion, building hip and leg strength, and improving walking without assistive devices. Weeks 8-12 involve advanced strengthening, balance training, and returning to desired activities. By 3 months, most patients walk independently, manage stairs, and perform daily activities comfortably. However, subtle improvements in strength, endurance, and hip function continue for 6-12 months. Factors affecting timeline include your age, pre-surgery fitness level, surgical complications, adherence to therapy exercises, and overall health. Younger, healthier patients often recover faster than older adults with multiple health conditions. Consistent participation in therapy and home exercises significantly impacts how quickly and completely you recover function and return to activities you enjoy.

Most patients can safely return to driving 4-6 weeks after hip replacement surgery, but the exact timing depends on several factors. You must be off narcotic pain medications, have adequate hip strength and range of motion to operate pedals safely, demonstrate quick reaction time for braking, and have clearance from your surgeon. If your right hip was replaced, returning to driving takes longer since that leg controls the gas and brake pedals. Left hip patients often return to driving sooner. Your physical therapist assesses your readiness by testing your ability to move quickly between pedals, maintain the necessary hip flexion for sitting in a car, and react appropriately in simulated driving situations. Getting in and out of a car safely while following hip precautions requires practice and proper technique. Driving before you’re ready puts you and others at risk due to delayed reactions, limited mobility, or hip precaution violations. Insurance and legal liability issues also exist if you’re involved in an accident while recovering from surgery. Your therapist and surgeon work together to determine when you’ve recovered sufficiently to drive safely and legally.

Yes, most patients use assistive devices after hip replacement surgery, progressing from a walker to a cane as strength and balance improve. Immediately after surgery, you’ll use a walker for 2-4 weeks to provide stability, reduce weight on your new hip, and prevent falls during early recovery when muscles are weak and you’re learning new movement patterns. Around weeks 3-6, many patients transition to a cane used on the opposite side of the surgical hip, which continues providing balance support while allowing more natural walking. By 6-8 weeks, most patients walk independently without any device, though some continue using a cane for longer distances or uneven terrain for several more weeks. Your progression depends on your strength, balance, pain levels, and walking quality. Your physical therapist determines when you’re ready to advance from walker to cane to independent walking based on objective assessments. Trying to abandon assistive devices too quickly increases fall risk and can lead to poor walking habits that become permanent. Following the recommended progression ensures you develop proper gait patterns and maintain safety throughout recovery.

After total hip replacement, certain high-impact activities should be permanently avoided or modified to protect your implant and prevent premature wear or loosening. Activities to avoid include high-impact sports like running, jumping, contact sports, basketball, and racquetball. Heavy lifting (over 50 pounds), excessive twisting movements, and activities requiring extreme hip positions should also be limited. However, many activities are safe and encouraged including walking, swimming, cycling, golf (after 3-6 months), doubles tennis (with surgeon approval), dancing, hiking on even terrain, and low-impact exercise classes. Your surgeon and physical therapist provide specific guidance based on your implant type, surgical approach, bone quality, and activity goals. Most daily activities including working, traveling, gardening, and recreational activities are achievable after proper recovery. The goal is maintaining an active lifestyle while protecting your implant for maximum longevity. Modern hip replacements typically last 15-20 years or longer with appropriate activity modifications. Your therapy program prepares you to safely return to the activities most important to you while teaching you which movements to avoid for long-term implant health and function.

Getting started with at-home hip replacement rehabilitation is simple and should be arranged before your surgery whenever possible. Contact us before your scheduled surgery to set up post-operative therapy, or call immediately after hospital discharge if you haven’t arranged coverage yet. We’ll gather information about your surgery date, surgeon’s name, discharge instructions, and any specific precautions or restrictions. You’ll need a physician order for home health physical therapy, which your surgeon typically provides at discharge. We can often schedule your first at-home visit within 24 hours of arriving home from the hospital, ensuring no gap in your rehabilitation. During your initial session, your therapist reviews your surgical precautions, assesses your current mobility and pain, teaches safe movement techniques, and begins exercises to restore strength and range of motion. We coordinate directly with your surgeon’s office throughout recovery, provide all necessary equipment recommendations, and handle insurance verification and billing. Our service area covers Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Sarasota counties. Don’t wait to start your hip replacement recovery. Contact us today to ensure seamless transition from hospital to home with expert rehabilitation.