How long will it take for me to walk without a walker or cane after total hip replacement?

Answer 1

It varies. After 4 months, in MOST uncomplicated cases, a patient is relatively pain-free, has full mobility of the hip, and can walk with a minimal or no limp. In most cases, FULL recovery takes about 4 to 6 months.

The success of your recovery will depend in large measure on how well you follow your orthopaedic surgeon's instructions regarding home care during the first few weeks after surgery

Wound Care: You will have stitches or staples running along your wound or a suture beneath your skin. The stitches or staples will be removed about two weeks after surgery.

Avoid getting the wound wet until it has thoroughly sealed and dried. A bandage may be placed over the wound to prevent irritation from clothing or support stockings.

Diet: Some loss of appetite is common for several weeks after surgery. A balanced diet, often with an iron supplement, is important to promote proper tissue healing and restore muscle strength. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Activity: Exercise is a critical component of home care, particularly during the first few weeks after surgery. You should be able to resume most normal light activities of daily living within three to six weeks following surgery. Some discomfort with activity and at night is common for several weeks.

Your activity program should include:

*A graduated walking program, initially in your home and later outside
*Walking program to slowly increase your mobility and endurance
*Resuming other normal household activities
*Resuming sitting, standing, walking up and down stairs
*Specific exercises several times a day to restore movement
*Specific exercises several times a day to strength your hip joint
*May wish to have a physical therapist help you at home

Answer 2

my dad got a total hip replacement a while back. It took him 8 months to fully 100% be normal. He was off the walker and cane within 3 months, but he limped for another 4.

but, my dad's surgery had some complications, so Yours may take a few less months.

and my dad was 44 when he got the surgery, if you are younger it will not take as long.

Answer 3

My ex wife had hers in Feb. last year, then they shipped her to a rehab center after 5 days in the hospital, and that stay lasted 2 weeks.
Within the first week they had her exercising the hip/leg, and by the end of that time she was walking with a walker, then a cane.

Her ecovery has been complicated by other issues, but she manages to get around,,, and drive. She is 55 years old.

Answer 4

I found that most of my patients were able to ambulate with out assistance around 6 weeks post toal hip arthroplasty. Some depending on age and the severity of the dejeneration still find the use of a walker or cane helpfull, but again the majority of patients in my practice are walking without assistance within 4-6 weeks.
Ask your doctor about minimal invasive incisions . It helps you heal faster and the scar is much smaller.
It also helps to know what implant your doctor will be using . We use stryker impants and I have found they aid my patients recovery and their mobility is much greater.
Good Luck.

Answer 5

Walking without a cane or a walker after a hip replacement will depend on you. It depends on how dedicated you are to your rehabilitation and how well you respond to it. After my hip replacement, it took me a while to be able to walk with a cane but as soon as I could, I joined a water aerobics exercise class. From the time of the operation to the time of I was back to work was 5 and half mouths. The water aerobics works wonders to strengthen the muscles that have been damaged.

Answer 6

it depends on how well you heal

my neighbor had hip replacement and she was walking with out the walker or cane (doctor didnt like it) 5 weeks after the surgery without any pain or discomfort

she "need to do some things"

Answer 7

The last time I had this surgery, the walker lasted about a week, and the cane I got rid of in a month or less.

Answer 8

That would also depend on the type of surgery done. Now there is the Minimally Invasive Hip replacement Surgery. They will get you up as soon as possible,after the surgery in order to avoid blood cloths. Work well with physical therapy, and it truly depends on your desire to walk without any support. I still have my cane in the car, just in case I may need it during icy weather, however I have not used it. in the last 3 years. Best wishes may God bless you with a speedy recovery.

Answer 9

I have treated patients that after a couple weeks have not had much pain. As far as resuming normal activity, you will have to adhere to hip precautions (no bending at hip greater than 90 degrees, no crossing leg, no pointing toes inward, no leg adduction) until you doc clears you. As far as walking without a device - it is usually left up to your therapist. A person your age and in good heatlh, could be walking without a device in a month or so. I have worked with patients who had the hip replacement in the morning and were up walking (not far, but a few feet) that evening. Most of the recovery depends on the patient, their age, their general health, and their willingness to work towards recovery. Good luck

Answer 10

2 years

Answer 11

I've had both hips replaced. I used either a walker or forearm crutches for at least the first month or so after surgery and used one crutch or a cane for several weeks after that. Mostly I used the crutches when I left the house and used the walker at home. It took me longer to "graduate" to a single crutch or cane after the first hip than after the second. Each hip surgery is different, even in the same person. In my case, after the first surgery, I still had a problem with my other hip so that may have slowed me down some.

Another factor that may influence the time you spend using walkers and crutches may be the type of fixation used by the surgeon. An uncemented stem MAY extend the time that you are required to use a walker. This is because it takes time for bone ingrowth to occur. On the other hand, people receiving cemented stems are frequently told to weight bear as tolerated. But, to complicate matters, some uncemented stems also permit weight bearing as tolerated. None of this means that one method of fixation is any better than another so don't be upset if you receive an uncemented stem. . If you wonder why the surgeon uses one method over another, best to ask him.

So, the best advice comes from your doctor, the best assistance in speeding your return to walking without aids comes from your physical therapist, and the best indicator of when you are able to walk unaided comes from how you feel.