Hip Arthritis
What is hip arthritis?
Hip osteoarthritis is a gradual wearing down of the smooth cartilage that cushions the hip joint. Over time, the protective layer thins and the bones may rub together, leading to pain, stiffness, and difficulty with everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs.¹
Can hip arthritis be managed without surgery?
Often, yes; initially, exercise, weight loss where appropriate, and anti-inflammatory medications are the recommended first steps and can meaningfully reduce pain.¹ Corticosteroid injections into the joint may also improve pain and function for up to four months.³ Surgery is typically considered after these options have been tried for several months without adequate relief.⁴
Hip Replacement Surgery
What is a hip replacement, and what does the surgery involve?
A hip replacement removes the damaged bone and cartilage of the hip joint and replaces them with an artificial joint made of metal, ceramic, or plastic parts. The worn socket is resurfaced with a new cup, and the ball at the top of the thighbone is replaced with a smooth prosthetic head attached to a metal stem fitted into the bone.⁵
How long does hip replacement surgery take?
Most hip replacements take about 1 to 1.5 hours of operating time, with a median of approximately one hour and a half.⁶
Who Is A Candidate
What is the typical age for a hip replacement?
The median age is approximately 69 years, though roughly one-third of patients are younger than 65.² There is no strict age cutoff; the decision depends on pain, function, and overall health rather than age alone.⁷
What are the signs that you may need a hip replacement?
Common signs include persistent hip or groin pain (often limiting walking, stair climbing, or sleep), stiffness that makes it hard to put on shoes or socks, and pain that no longer responds adequately to medication, exercise, or injections.² Surgery is generally considered after at least three months of conservative treatment without sufficient improvement.⁴
The Road to Recovery
How long does recovery from a hip replacement take?
Most of the improvement in pain and daily function happens within the first 1 to 3 months.⁸ Full recovery, including return to more demanding activities and walking ability, may continue for up to a year.⁹
How painful is hip replacement surgery and recovery?
Pain is typically moderate on the first day, averaging approximately 3 out of 10 with standard pain management, and tends to decrease steadily, reaching mild levels of approximately 1 out of 10 by about four weeks.¹⁰
What is the hardest part of recovery?
The first 1 to 2 weeks tend to be the most challenging, when energy may be low as sleep may be disrupted and daily tasks like bathing and dressing can require extra effort.¹¹ Muscle strength around the hip drops initially and can take months to rebuild.¹²
How soon will you be up and walking, and how much should you walk?
Most patients stand and take their first steps within a day of surgery; walking then increases quickly from there, with typical daily step counts rising from about 1,100 in the first week to about 4,100 by the third week.¹³
When can you drive again?
Most patients are able to drive again by about 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, depending on which hip was operated on, the type of vehicle, and whether pain medication is still needed.¹⁴
As recovery is different for everyone, these timelines can only provide general guidance; your surgeon, and any physiotherapist you work with, will help discuss the specifics of your case and personalize your recovery plan.
The Risks
What are the most common problems after hip replacement?
Although uncommon, complications include blood clots in the leg or lung (≈ 1% with preventive medication),¹⁵ dislocation of the new joint (≈ 2% to 3% within 2 years),¹⁶ and deep infection (≈ 1% to 2% within 2 years).² Loosening of the implant over time is the leading reason a replacement may eventually need to be redone.²
How long are you at risk for blood clots after surgery?
The risk is highest in the first few weeks and remains elevated for about 2 to 3 months after surgery.¹⁷ Blood-thinning medication is typically prescribed for up to 35 days to reduce this risk.¹⁸
Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you before surgery, including any others specific to your health, and how they apply to your individual case.
The Years Ahead
How long does a hip replacement last?
More than half of hip replacements last longer than 25 years,¹⁹ and more than 9 out of 10 are still functioning well at 14 years.² Younger patients face a higher lifetime chance of eventually needing a repeat operation, mostly because they will live with the implant longer.²⁰
