One of my biggest fears having my hip replacement surgery (other than not ever being able to walk again which I’ll get to in a minute) was not knowing what recovering from a hip replacement would be like.
The closest thing I had was a triathlete friend in his 50’s. He recommended me to my doctor which I am thankful for. If you know my complicated health history, then you know my luck with doctors has been horrible. My hip surgeon. He listens to every thing I say and doesn’t pretend to know my body.
Despite my friend, I felt alone in this. Here I am, a healthy, extremely active 38 year old woman. People in my age group rarely have hip replacements. In fact, less than 5% of women under the age of 50 have them. I had no one to talk to who was as active as me to tell me what this would feel like. It was terrifying.
What To Expect Recovering From A Hip Replacement
The Surgery
The day of the surgery the nurse took me back to prep and sign forms. When she read the consent form, “you are having a total hip replacement” I lost it. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. Then the doctor came and emphasized how much better I was going to feel. He told me I wouldn’t believe him until after the surgery and he was right.
After surgery, the doctor told me it was the worst hip he’s ever seen. He didn’t know how I could walk. He showed me pictures on his phone which looked like a big blob of bloody tissues. That’s exactly what you want to see when you’re waking up.
As a side note, I had a robotic anterior hip replacement approach which is the newest surgical procedure with half the recovery of traditional replacements. Mine was also done outpatient to minimize infection.
The Day After Surgery
The day after surgery my physical therapist came to my home. I was very sore. It felt like someone beat my quad and hip with bat. It was very swollen which made movement difficult. But I had NO PAIN. It was a miracle.
In fact, the pain has been so mild I never needed pain meds. I’ve only taken anti-inflammatories since the surgery – another thing my doctor can’t believe. Truth is the pain from the surgery was much less than the pain before the surgery. Imagine living your for 18 years in a lot of pain and one day it disappears. That’s what it was like.
One Week Post Surgery
Two days post surgery I was walking with a crutch and/or a cane. That was the only good part about the week. The doctor told me to start biking, but my leg was too swollen and hot with inflammation. It was horribly uncomfortable. I had to constantly elevate and ice. I couldn’t sleep or work that week because of the swelling. My back also hurt. My pelvis is tilted from years of a bad hip. The back pain is my pelvis adjusting to the new hip which can take months I’m told. Overall, it was not fun and I was going out of my mind.
Two Weeks Post Surgery
I knew the only way I wouldn’t go crazy was getting to the gym and doing what I could do which was recumbent, spin bike and strength training. The doctor also released me to swim, and I quickly jumped in the pool only to realize how hard it was going to be. This was something that used to be easy for me.
Now it’s hard. When I kick, it pulls my hip flexors which are still healing from surgery and my weak glutes tire quickly. What’s good about the water though was that it helped the inflammation. It also made it very obvious how off balance I am on my right side which is why I started working on a BOSU to fix bilateral discrepancies.
Three Weeks Post Surgery
I was freaking out that I wasn’t walking yet. Not being able to walk was my biggest fear recovering from a hip replacement. By week three, I could drive, climb stairs, ride a bike, elliptical, swim. Basically do everything except walk. It was frustrating not being able to do something that seems so simple. It felt like my brain didn’t know how to make my muscles work.
My therapist assured me it would take time. In fact, he stressed over and over how advanced I was compared to the average patient who takes 8+ weeks and that I’m recovering from a hip replacement which can take up to 6 months. While I know these things, I also know I’m not the average patient. Maybe I was being overzealous.
Four Weeks Post Surgery
I transitioned to outpatient therapy to my therapist who I’ve seen for two years. I knew if anyone could figure me out, it would be her. She had me incorporate weird things into my workouts like walking backwards on a treadmill for 5 minutes at a time and doing all weight lifting on my knees (one and two legged) to strengthen hamstrings, abductors, glutes and more importantly, my brain. I’m also kneeling while working during the day.
She said to me, “sometimes you need to do things differently to make your brain work again.” As it turns out, the day after I saw her I started walking and I’ve been walking ever since. Go figure. No, I’m not walking great because I’m weak. But hey, I’m WALKING!!!
Today
I’m very active with my hip replacement teaching 5-6 cycle classes a week, swimming, walking and weight training. I do not run because it will ruin the hip replacement and wear it down faster. I don’t feel running is worth it and truthfully, I’m so grateful to be pain free that I don’t miss running at all.
For those having a hip replacement, here’s some things to keep in mind.
What To Expect Recovering From A Hip Replacement
- Strengthen your body before surgery especially core, hamstrings and glutes.
- It will take a long time to recover. For most, 3-6 months.
- You will need help at home as you recover.
- Walking will be hard, very hard. Be patient & do your PT exercises consistently.
- Have multiple ice packs. You will need them.
- Expect swelling up to one year post surgery.
- Put weight on the operated leg even if it hurts. Hips are weight bearing joints and need weight to strengthen.
- Move! It helps with swelling.
- Change positions frequently.
- Find a good therapist or trainer to help you recover. My recommendation is someone pilates trained as they are able to identify very specific weaknesses in the body as compared to traditional physical therapists.
Last thought, YOU ARE GOING TO FEEL SO MUCH BETTER! I never imagined I could feel this good and there are things I can do now that I haven’t been able to in years for example last week was my first time sitting Indian Style in 18 years!
If you’re scared of having surgery, DO NOT BE! It’s going to give you your life back.
October 2020 Update
Everyone keeps asking me how I’m doing with my hip replacement. I’m doing great, have had no issues and I am very active.
Since writing this post, I’ve had many people reach out to me about AVN asking for treatment recommendations. I cannot give you medical advice on AVN or hip replacements. Please consult your orthopedic on this.
That last paragraph–it is everything! Give it some time, and you will feel so much better.
I can tell you that often time the road after the fix is just as bumpy as the road up to the fix. BUT it does smooth out!
Oh yes, I’m in that bumpy road now. I do too much and things are yelling at me. It will be a balancing act for a few months.
Loved hearing your recovery story. I can’t imagine having a hip replacement under the age of 50. You are so determined.. keep it up!!
Thanks Taylor! We’re not always given a choice in life so you make the best of it.
It’s SO true that none of these physical things last forever, and I love how you continue to climb over the mountains of recovery and share them with others. That’s even so cool that you’re back to weight lifting. The idea of doing it on your knees is something that I’ve done before too!
I really hope this is the last mountain to climb for awhile!
You look great! I can’t wait to see you think of all the shennangins we could get into now that your walking!
We better put a warning out. LOL
YES. This is magical. I’m so glad you’re recovering so well!!
Thanks friend!
My friend just had one a while back & tough recovery. Now he just had back surgery! Really tough!!! He is older – 65ish but UGH! HUGE HUGS!!!
In some ways I’m thankful I’m going through it now because it’s easier to recover at this age and future revisions are not as bad to recover from. I wish your friend all the best!
Oh girl… I can’t believe how well you’re doing! And that you lasted 18 years in that kind of pain. I haven’t been through it, but I’ve watched my mom and now Vegas with various form of chronic pain and I’m amazing and what a high level they function on. I can’t wait to see you moving around full force and pain free!
I know, looking back I can’t believe how bad I was. I guess when you’re in it, it just becomes your normal and you can’t imagine your life any other way. I’m so glad I did it even if it does mean a few months of rehab!
Can I ask are you able to run? I run 5 days a week and need a replacement
No, you’re not supposed to run or jump. You will wear out the replacement quickly.
Your story is very uplifting and so true! I had my left hip replaced last year at 59, and I immediately felt better. I’m 3 weeks into recovery after having my right hip replaced. The key to your story is people should know how much better they will feel after this surgery. My golf game improved so much after just having the left hip done – and in time you almost forget that you had the surgery! Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing your really motivating story.
So glad to hear that! I wish more people understood that joint replacements are good thing.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for such an encouraging article!!!! I am 38 years old very active woman and will be facing the same surgery in a few months. Needless to say how scared and frustrated i am. But your story makes me feel that i am not alone and the future can be bright!! Again, thank you!!!!
Glad it was helpful. Wish someone would have told me I would feel a MILLION times better after the surgery. That’s why I wrote the post. My life is so much better since the surgery. Good luck! You will do well!!!
I am a dancer, a gymnastics coach, a musical theater performer, a daily gym-attender, and more. I just found out today that I will need a total hip replacement, at 36-years old. I’m in shock. Partly relieved I haven’t lost my mind in that my hip pain is real, relieved that I will once again be able to face a life without constant pain….but scared to death about what having an artificial hip means for the rest of my life, affording a surgery for someone who is self-employed, what my dancing will be like after (the doctor assures me it will be better than it is right now for sure)….and so much more. My birthday is this week and I’m going to go record myself doing some very painful backhandsprings because I’m so afraid I may never do them again. Reading over your process today has brought me to tears for so many reasons. I’m so afraid. Of so many things. I can’t even grasp it all.
Thank you for sharing your story and please continue to share your process! I need to know what I have to look forward to!
Hi! I stumbled upon this blog post as I recently found I have to have a bilateral hip replacement done asap. I’m having it done in October and am 33 years old. Years of Crohn’s, inflammation, advanced osteo-arthritis and probably my pregnancy, got me in to the sitatuation I’m in today but reading your blog has made me feel so much better! Any tips for me?? I’m basically not working out anymore due to the fact that I can barely walk comfortably at this time (some days are better then others). Can’t wait to feel better!
I have had 15 weeks of physical therapy and I still get fatigued when I walk and also have back spasms, I’m getting impatient, I’m 6 months out now and wish I could do more
I just came across your blog! I am 34 and just diagnosed with AVN and have been told a THR is my only option. I’ve been in pain for years and I’m feeling really unsure of what to do. Your story gives me hope!
I will have a hip replacement in 2 weeks. I’m 35 yeasr old and I have a 2 yera old baby.
I’m so scare, but reading your post really gave me peace
I was not in pain prior to hip surgery, but had severe arthritis and all my favorite sports were out of the question. The hospital stay was a nightmare out of a Stephen King novel even though the staff was outstanding. Never though of myself as a quitter, but I wanted out so badly. Am home now. It is nearly impossible to get comfortable. Would love to believe that somehow this was all worth it. At this point I could not imagine voluntarily going through having the other hip replaced. That being said I am only 1 week in, so…
Am glad that you’re recovery has been so outstanding!
Sorry to hear of your experience. Hopefully things will improve quickly now that you’re home. I had outpatient surgery so I don’t know what the hospital stay is like. My doctor was fully against a hospital stay due to risk of infection. My surgery was also anterior not posterior which makes a huge difference in recovery and pain. I took ZERO pain medication after my surgery. As I mentioned in the post, I worked very hard before the surgery to strengthen my body by working out and with therapeutic methods so I went into the surgery very strong too.
Hi Megan thanks for sharing I had a hip replacement last year aged 39 due to AVN best thing I ever did!
Didn’t know about the link between gluten and AVN think I need to explore my diet.
This article is awesome! I’m having a total hip soon and I’m 48 and have developmental dysplasia. I am so scared but reading this made me think it will be worth it! Thank you so much for sharing and helping to ease my fears!
I’m 31 and have this coming up in June after 3 failed hip surgeries (labrum repair, reconstruction and pinning). You would think it would be old hat by now but I’m still nervous. Excited though too!
I’m similar to you in that I’m very active and this whole hip debacle has been a struggle and a half 🙂
After recently having a hinged knee partial femur replacement on the right, I’m facing a right hip replacement possibly sometime in January. I’ve heard hip replacement is so much easier to get over than a knee. (I have had both knees replaced by the way).