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How long is hospital stay after hip surgery?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 17, 2026

Typically, you will stay in the hospital one to three days after surgery, depending on how quickly you progress with physical therapy. Once you're able to walk longer distances and are making consistent progress, you'll be ready to go home.

How long does it take to walk normally after hip surgery?

3 to 6 Weeks After Hip Replacement Surgery

You'll likely be able to walk without a walker or crutches.

Is hip surgery considered major surgery?

Hip replacement is a major surgery and some complications, such as infection and blood clots, can be life-threatening. Experts estimate3 0.35% (35 in 10,000) patients die within 30 days of hip replacement surgery. That rate changes to 1% (1 in 100) within 90 days of surgery.

How long do you stay in hospital after hip operation?

Recovering from hip replacement surgery

You'll usually be in hospital for 3 to 5 days, but recovery time can vary. Once you're ready to be discharged, your hospital will give you advice about looking after your hip at home.

Can you go home same day after hip replacement?

Same-day surgeries, also called outpatient surgery, are when a patient safely leaves the hospital to recover at home the same day as the surgery. About one-third to one-half of my patients with a knee or hip replacement surgeries can go home the same day as their procedures.

33 related questions found

How do you poop after hip surgery?

Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, to prevent constipation. Use a stool softener while taking pain medication. Take a laxative if you do not have a bowel movement within two to three days. Notify your doctor if you don't have results after taking the laxative.

How painful is hip replacement surgery?

You can expect to experience some discomfort in the hip region itself, as well as groin pain and thigh pain. This is normal as your body adjusts to changes made to joints in that area. There can also be pain in the thigh and knee that is typically associated with a change in the length of your leg.

How long are you on bed rest after a hip replacement?

How do I safely rest and sleep after a hip replacement? Elevate both of your legs when sitting to minimize swelling. When resting or sleeping in bed, lie on your non-operative side for the first four to six weeks following surgery.

Why do I still limp after hip replacement?

One fault that is very difficult to break is a limp that occurs when the operative leg is directly below the pelvis on the ground. This fault is most often seen when the trunk bends too far over the operative hip. A muscle on your hip, the gluteus medius muscle, often weakens significantly after surgery.

When can I drive after hip surgery?

Some patients may drive as soon as 2 weeks after surgery1, while others may need as long as 8 weeks. Importantly, drivers must not be taking any pain medications that impair driving skills—this is unsafe and illegal. In addition, reflexes and muscle strength should have returned to their pre-surgical levels.

How long do elderly live after hip surgery?

For females who underwent surgical treatment for hip fracture, estimated life expectancy would be 8.2 years for those aged 70 years, 4.8 years for those aged 80 years, and 2.8 years for those aged 90 years.

What is the success rate of hip surgery?

While hip replacement surgery is a substantial procedure with a long recovery time, success rates hover around 90%.

Which is more painful hip or knee surgery?

The hip is really a much simpler joint. The knee has to balance off-center loads and move side to side. And with a total knee replacement, you are removing a lot of tissue and bone. Postoperative pain is higher with knees since the soft tissue affected by the surgery must stretch more than soft tissue around the hip.

What should I be doing 1 week after hip replacement?

One or two weeks after surgery you'll probably be able to:

  • Move about your home more easily.
  • Walk short distances, to your mailbox, around the block, or perhaps even further.
  • Prepare your own meals. One to 2 weeks after surgery you may be able to stand at the kitchen counter without a walking aid. ...
  • Take showers.

What is the fastest way to recover from a hip replacement?

7 practical tips for successful hip replacement recovery

  1. Prepare your home in advance. ...
  2. Plan for some time off work. ...
  3. Balance rest and recovery with gentle exercise. ...
  4. Think about your nutrition to help speed up recovery. ...
  5. Be mindful of your hip when in bed. ...
  6. Think about your holidays and travel plans.

Is it OK to sit in a recliner after hip replacement surgery?

Try to sit in a straight back chair (avoid low sofas, recliners, or zero-gravity chairs) for the first 6 weeks. Do NOT sleep in a recliner. Your hip will get stiff in a flexed position and be harder to straighten out.

Is having a total hip replacement considered a disability?

Hip replacement can result in disability benefits, if you are unable to work after surgery. However, you must be unable to work for at least 12 consecutive months following your hip operation. Additionally, your hip condition must interfere with your ability to perform your work.

What is the newest procedure for hip replacement?

The latest advanced technology, a percutaneously-assisted “SUPERPATH™” approach, involves sparing the surrounding muscles and tendons when performing total hip replacement surgery. This technique builds a traditional hip implant in-place without cutting any muscles or tendons.

How far should I walk each day after hip replacement?

We recommend that you walk two to three times a day for about 20-30 minutes each time. You should get up and walk around the house every 1-2 hours. Eventually you will be able to walk and stand for more than 10 minutes without putting weight on your walker or crutches. Then you can graduate to a cane.

Can I go back to work 2 weeks after hip replacement?

Work. If you have a desk job with minimal activity, you can return to work in about two weeks. If your job requires heavy lifting or is otherwise tough on the hips, it is recommended to take off about six weeks to recover.

What you Cannot do after a hip replacement?

Hip replacement patients are given a long list of things not to do—do not bend the hips or knees further than 90 degrees, do not cross the legs, do not lift the leg to put on socks, and much more. These movement restrictions protect the new hip from dislocation.

Can you climb stairs after hip replacement?

Climbing stairs may also be difficult during recovery. With anterior hip replacement, patients can bend the hip freely immediately after surgery and use the hip normally without cumbersome restrictions. Under supervision, they go up and down stairs before leaving the hospital.

How do you shower after hip surgery?

Showers

  1. To make sure the surgical sites stay dry, cover the dressing with "Glad Press and Seal." Note: Your post-surgical dressing is water proof.
  2. Transfer into the shower leading with the non-surgical leg and transfer out of the shower leading with the surgical leg ("up with the good, down with the bad").

Are you awake during hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement surgery is usually done either under general anaesthetic (you're asleep throughout the procedure) or under spinal anaesthetic (you're awake but have no feeling from the waist down). Sometimes you may have an epidural, which is similar to a spinal anaesthetic.

What should I wear after hip surgery?

clothing you will wear home, including loose-fitting pants, shirt, underwear and socks. flat shoes or athletic shoes (comfortable, supportive with nonslip soles) glasses or contacts (if you wear them) and storage containers.