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Hip Replacement
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Surgery Rehabilitation

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery replaces damaged hip joint parts with man-made components to relieve pain and restore mobility when conservative treatments fail.

Overview

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure designed for individuals suffering from severe hip damage. The most common cause of this damage is osteoarthritis, a condition that leads to pain, swelling, and reduced motion in the joints, often interfering with daily activities. If non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, pain medicines, and exercise have not provided sufficient relief, hip replacement surgery may be a viable option.

The Procedure

During a hip replacement operation, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone from the hip joint and replaces them with new, man-made parts.

Benefits

A hip replacement can help patients by:

  • Relieving pain
  • Helping the hip joint work better
  • Improving walking and other movements

Risks and Post-Surgery Considerations

The most common problem following surgery is hip dislocation. Because a man-made hip is smaller than the original joint, the ball can come out of its socket. The surgery can also cause blood clots and infections.

Following a hip replacement, patients might need to avoid certain activities, such as jogging and high-impact sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Full recovery typically takes three to six months, though initial mobility returns within a few weeks. Most patients can return to sedentary office jobs within two to four weeks, provided they can sit comfortably and manage pain without heavy lifting. Physical therapy is essential during this period to rebuild strength and prevent stiffness, with daily exercises helping to restore normal gait and independence in daily activities.
Most patients use a walker for the first two to four weeks after surgery to ensure stability while the soft tissues heal. Your surgeon will likely transition you to a single cane for the next four to eight weeks. You may eventually walk without aids, but this depends on your muscle strength and balance. Continuing physical therapy is crucial to ensure you can safely transition to independent walking without a limp.
Modern hip replacement implants are generally MRI-safe, but you must inform the radiology team about your implant before any scan. The metal components may create a small artifact on the image, but this rarely interferes with imaging of other areas. For future surgeries, ensure all medical staff know you have a prosthetic joint, as this may influence antibiotic prophylaxis decisions to prevent infection, though routine dental work usually does not require special precautions unless there are specific risk factors.
To minimize the risk of dislocation, you must avoid bending your hip past 90 degrees, crossing your legs at the knee or ankle, and twisting your body while your feet remain planted. For the first three months, use a raised toilet seat, a shower chair, and a reacher tool to avoid deep bending. Always keep your knees apart when sitting and avoid getting in or out of low chairs or cars without assistance.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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