Rapid Recovery Milestones after Total Hip Replacement

Total Hip Replacement was introduced to the world in 1962 by Sir John Charnley, a pioneer Orthopedic Surgeon in Great Britain. Since that time, Total Hip Replacement ("THR") has revolutionized the quality of life in patients suffering from disabling arthritis of the hip. Every year, nearly 1 million THRs are performed in the United States, and the speed of recovery after this procedure has been amazing.

If you've wondered what recovery might look like and how long it takes to get "back into action," read on, as our expert, Dr Thomas Kane III, the first "Fellowship-trained" Orthopedic Surgeon in the State of Hawaii, explains the three big recovery milestones after your Total Hip Replacement.

The first steps: (weeks1-3)

The recovery journey begins immediately after surgery: a Physical Therapist will get you out of bed within 4 hours of the operation. Using a walker for balance, you will be able to put full weight-bearing on the operated leg immediately and walk. Most patients notice that the preoperative "arthritis pain" they had been experiencing is gone. There is some pain in the operated hip (after all, it IS a major surgery), but that pain is mild to moderate and easily managed by oral pain medications.

It is highly likely that you will only have to spend 1-2 nights in the hospital, with both skilled Physical and Occupational Therapists guiding you for safe mobilization techniques.

Upon discharge home, you will be safe to walk short distances, take a shower, and attend outpatient Physical Therapy three times per week.

Regaining independence: (weeks 3-6)

The hip is a somewhat "magical joint": it basically rehabs itself during walking. By week 2, most patients are able to transition to a cane.

There will be some minimal positional restrictions that Therapists will show you to avoid while the tissues around the operated hip are healing.

By week 4, you should be able to drive your own car.

By weeks 4-6, you should be able to ambulate without any assistive device, even a cane. Most patients can return to desk jobs at this point, cook for themselves, perform light housework, and even begin swimming.

Enjoying a full recovery: (months 2-6)

It is highly likely that, by months 2-3, your pain will be near zero. You may golf, resume tennis, go hiking, and even travel by month 3.

By 3-6 months, you should be able to go surfing or skiing, resuming your "sport of choice".

By 1 year, it is highly likely that you will experience a phenomenon called "joint unawareness" in which you will amazingly forget which hip you had replaced!.

Learning more about total hip replacements

Total Hip Replacement surgery, while still considered a "major surgery", is "life-restoring": It is specifically designed to relieve pain and restore quality of life....and, performed by a highly-skilled surgeon, it does just that.

A well-performed THR by an experienced surgeon, using state-of-the-art components, can be reasonably expected to last 30-40 years before parts may need to be replaced again.

If you want to learn more about this life-changing procedure, contact Hawaii's pre-eminent Hip Replacement surgeon, Dr Kane, for an appointment to evaluate your hip and to discuss details of this procedure. Dr Kane will discuss every aspect of the procedure with you and answer any questions that you or your family members may have.

The critical element in the success of this intricate procedure is the skill, training and experience of the surgeon.