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 & 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!!!
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.
And last but not least, 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!
Do you know someone who is or has had a hip replacement?
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!!!