How Much Time Will I Have to Be Off Work For Hip Replacement Surgery?

Recovery after hip replacement surgery involves amy recovery has progressed. 5 weeks after my
slow process of rehabilitation. Swelling remains asurgery I was walking up to 3 miles. 8 weeks after I
serious issue for most patients. While each person willhiked a 4,000 ft peak. 12 weeks out I'm back to
recover at a different rate, doctors expect patientsroad biking and I've climbed a 6,200 ft peak. At this
to return to work between six and eight weeks forpoint, I seemed to have regained most of my
office jobs and three to six months for physicallystrength in the old leg."
demanding labor. Return to work should also be"I'm 10 1/2 weeks out and I have been riding a
phased; three half-days in the first week, twostationary bike consistently since I have had
full-days in the second week, five half-days in thepermission to drive at 6 weeks. I started taking Yoga
third week, and full-time by week four.and Pi-Yo this week and tied my shoes for the first
After your hip replacement surgery, you will mosttime post-op after a PI-Yo class. Finally ended up
likely be in the hospital for three to five days. Intaking my first spinning classes in months."
some cases, patients will stay for additional days of"Today is exactly 90 days post-op minimally-invasive
rehabilitation, but typically discharge takes place withinTHR. I'm 54 and my recovery has been going great. I
one week. If you are having both hips replaced, calledwent back to work in 2 months and initially had some
"bilateral" surgery, then it will probably take youpretty strong pain. My job calls for me to be on my
longer to recover, both in hospital and duringfeet for 5-7 hrs., but the surgeon told me to get off
rehabilitation.my feet for 15-20 mins. I had pain, so that's what I
The type of work you do will determine the lengthdid. Within 3 weeks that pain has resolved itself. He
of time before you can return. Patients return totold me you can expect pain in the muscles and joint
desk jobs and administrative work the soonest, onfor up to 6 months. He also said if you saw how
average about six weeks after the surgery. Patientsmuch abuse is done to the muscles and femur you
who do extremely well could return as early as onewould understand while it takes a while to heal. Total
week, but this decision is up to the discretion of you100% healing is 18 months."
and your doctor. Returning to manual labor isRehabilitation therapy can take up to several weeks.
significantly prolonged for obvious reasons. TheDuring this time, you may assess your performance
average return date to a job that requires heavyand determine whether you are ready to return to
lifting or excessive activity is three to six months.work. It is generally advised by doctors that active
Keep in mind that full recovery for most patientssports are delayed until after a full recovery. In the
undergoing hip replacement surgery is about six tofirst four weeks, you will most likely be using a
twelve months. When you can return to work iswalker. In addition, a knee immobilizer is intended to
based on your progress in physical rehabilitation, levelsbe used at night or when sleeping in order to prevent
of pain, and overall adjustment, following thethe hip from dislocating. Most doctors ask that the
operation.immobilizer be used for six weeks following the
Here is what some people are saying about theirsurgery.
post-op recoveries in a popular hip replacementRecovery time differs dramatically from patient to
patient forum:patient, and the examples given in this article are only
"I am 55 and had a complete hip replacement in earlymeant as rough estimates. Make sure you speak to
February. I was very active prior to surgery, in spiteyour doctor about any concerns you may have
of the discomfort, and am amazed at how quicklyregarding rehabilitation and recovery.