Which is worse hip replacement or knee replacement?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 16, 2026
Knee replacement is technically more difficult to get right than hip replacement and this is one important reason why some patients have poorer results than others. A surgeon who does a good number of knee replacements will tend to have better results, but this is not the whole story.
Which takes longer recovery knee replacement or hip replacement?
For knee replacement, full recovery often takes considerably longer than hip replacement. And having a painful hip can interfere with the rehabilitation necessary following a knee replacement. Both hip and knee replacements have high rates of success when performed well by experienced surgeons.
Is hip replacement more painful than knee replacement?
A hip replacement is a much less painful operation. People are on crutches for a while, and then their hips feel normal. But it takes six months to a year to recover from total knee surgery, and even then, the knee just doesn't feel normal.
What is the most painful joint surgery?
ACL surgery is the reconstruction or replacement of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. Doctors perform ACL surgery when the damage to the ACL ligament is causing severe pain or significantly limiting your ability to move the knee, which hinders participation in sports or an otherwise active lifestyle.
What is the riskiest surgery?
7 of the most dangerous surgeries
- Craniectomy. A craniectomy involves removing a fraction of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain. ...
- Thoracic aortic dissection repair. ...
- Oesophagectomy. ...
- Spinal osteomyelitis surgery. ...
- Bladder cystectomy. ...
- Gastric bypass. ...
- Separation of conjoined twins.
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 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.
What is the hardest orthopedic surgery to recover from?
What are some of the hardest orthopedic surgeries to recover from...
- Spinal Fusion Surgery. Spinal fusion surgery is a procedure that involves fusing two vertebrae together to prevent movement that causes pain. ...
- Total Joint Replacement. ...
- Minimally-Invasive Orthopedic Surgery. ...
- Minimally-Invasive Surgery in Naples, FL.
Will knee pain go away after hip replacement?
The nerves that supply the knee run past the hip and are affected by the inflammation around the hip. Typically, both the groin and knee pain associated with hip arthritis dramatically improve after hip replacement.
Which method of hip replacement is the best?
The posterior approach to total hip replacement is the most commonly used method and allows the surgeon excellent visibility of the joint, more precise placement of implants and is minimally invasive.
How long do you stay in hospital after hip replacement?
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.
What happens if you don't have hip replacement surgery?
In many cases, hip damage and dysfunction will worsen without treatment. Inactivity can lead to loss of muscle strength and increased stiffness of the hip joint. Without a hip replacement, weak hip muscles and joint stiffness could lead to a noticeable limp.
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.
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.
What are the first signs of needing a hip replacement?
Here are some warning signs that it's the right time for surgery
- Stiffness.
- Arthritic or damaged hip joints.
- Persistent pain in the hip or groin.
- Pain that does not respond to other treatments.
- Hips experiencing inflammation or swelling.
Who should not have a knee replacement?
Two groups of people are at a significantly higher risk of potential rejection or loosening of their device and/or toxicity from wear particles. Those with any type of allergy. Even patients with allergies that are as simple as pollen or dander should avoid knee replacement surgery.
Why is a knee replacement so painful?
Over time, implants can loosen and detach from the bone, causing pain. Plastic components of the artificial knee slowly wear out, creating debris that can cause inflammation. The wear and tear can cause the knee to break.
What surgeries take the longest to recover from?
The longest average recovery period we found was that of a total knee replacement, which can take from three months to one full year. This is typical with many knee injuries. An ACL injury, for example, can take six months or more to recover from.
Is a tourniquet used in a hip replacement?
Effective cementing is achieved in hip and shoulder arthroplasty where the use of a tourniquet is not possible. In such surgery it is accepted that the absence of a tourniquet does not compromise the field of view, cause excessive intraoperative blood loss, or lead to long-term problems with implant survivorship.
How long before you can 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.
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.
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.
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 is the fastest way to recover from a hip replacement?
7 practical tips for successful hip replacement recovery
- Prepare your home in advance. ...
- Plan for some time off work. ...
- Balance rest and recovery with gentle exercise. ...
- Think about your nutrition to help speed up recovery. ...
- Be mindful of your hip when in bed. ...
- 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.