Hip replacement surgery is now a routine procedure with good success rates. You will be encouraged to get up and about as quickly as possible – often on the same day as surgery. You may be given an injection to prevent the formation of blood clots and a course of antibiotics to help prevent infection. A physiotherapist may recommend exercises to help build strength and improve flexibility in your hip. They will also show you how to bend and sit to prevent damage to your new hip while you are healing.
You will normally be able to go home in three to five days. You will be given a follow-up appointment six to 12 weeks after surgery to check on your progress. You should be able to stop using crutches within four to six weeks and have made a good recovery within three months. Most people experience a new lease of life after a hip replacement as it takes away the pain of hip damage and restores lost mobility.
Most implants last 15 years or longer, after which you may need hip revision surgery which is a more complex procedure than hip replacement with a greater chance of complications. Not everyone is suitable for hip revision surgery.