Hip Replacement Surgery: Procedure, Recovery Time and Risks
Updated: 6 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is an operation that replaces a damaged hip joint with artificial implants made of metal, plastic or ceramic. It is most often done for hip arthritis that causes severe pain and stiffness. Surgery takes one to two hours, many people go home the same day, and unrestricted use can take 6 to 12 weeks. [1]
What the research says
A hip replacement lasts 25 years in about 58% of people. A meta-analysis that pooled 215,676 hip replacements from national joint registries found a 25-year implant survival of 57.9%; case series covering 13,212 hips reported 77.6%. (Evans et al., Lancet, 2019) [2]
Going home the same day appears as safe as staying in hospital. Across 12 prospective studies of 2,470 joint replacement patients, outpatient and inpatient surgery showed no significant difference in readmissions or complications, and outpatient care cost significantly less. (Ponugoti and Magill, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2025) [3]
Careful patient selection still matters for same-day surgery. In a meta-analysis of 177,792 hip and knee replacement patients (1,613 treated as outpatients), total complication rates were similar, but the outpatient group had more reoperations. (Xu et al., Journal of Orthopaedics, 2019) [4]
Key takeaways
Hip replacement surgery is a type of joint replacement that swaps a damaged hip for prosthetic implants. [1]
Most hip replacements are total hip replacements; partial replacements are mainly used for broken hips. [1]
The operation usually takes one to two hours, and most hip replacements are outpatient surgeries. [1]
Exercises can start as soon as 24 hours after surgery, and full recovery takes several months. [1]
Many people keep their hip implant for the rest of their lives. [1]
Hip replacement surgery at a glance
Question | Short answer |
What is replaced? | Total: the top of the thigh bone and its socket. Partial: only part of the hip |
Main reason for surgery | Severe hip pain, stiffness and loss of motion, most often from hip arthritis |
Implant materials | Metal, plastic or ceramic |
Anesthesia | Usually regional anesthesia (spinal block) |
Length of surgery | 1–2 hours |
Hospital stay | Often same-day discharge; some people stay one night |
Exercises begin | As soon as 24 hours after surgery |
Unrestricted hip use | Around 6–12 weeks |
Full recovery | Several months, with a few months of physical therapy |
Source: [1]
Who needs hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is usually considered when hip symptoms make it hard or unsafe to do everyday activities. [1] The most common symptoms that lead people to choose surgery are:
Severe hip pain
Stiffness
Loss of range of motion (how far the hip can move)
Any condition or injury that damages the hip can cause these symptoms, but hip arthritis is the most common cause. [1]
Surgery is rarely the first step. Your doctor will usually suggest other treatments first, such as medication, physical therapy, or walking with a cane or walker. [1]
Related reading: avascular necrosis, hip dysplasia and rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the types of hip replacement surgery?
The two types of hip replacement surgery are total hip replacement and partial hip replacement, and an orthopedic surgeon replaces some or all of the hip joint depending on the type. [1]
Feature | Total hip replacement | Partial hip replacement |
What is replaced | The top of the thigh bone and the socket it fits into | Only part of the hip |
How common | Almost all hip replacements | Less common; mainly for broken hips |
Usual reason | Damage that causes pain, stiffness and lost motion | Repairing broken hips or removing certain tumors |
Source: [1]
How do you prepare for hip replacement surgery?
Preparing for hip replacement surgery starts with a physical exam and several tests. [1] Your surgeon will ask about your symptoms, check your range of motion, and compare the painful hip with your other hip. Moving your hip in different directions helps them check the muscles that support your hip and leg. [1]
Tell your surgeon about every medication and supplement you take. [1]
Test type | Examples |
Standard tests | Blood tests (such as a basic metabolic panel), hip X-rays, urinalysis |
Possible extra tests | CT scan, MRI, EKG (heart tracing) |
Source: [1]
What happens during hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery usually follows four main steps and takes one to two hours. [1]
Anesthesia. You receive regional anesthesia, often called a spinal block. It blocks pain in a large area of the body without putting you fully to sleep.
Removing damaged tissue. The surgeon removes bone and cartilage from the existing hip joint.
Placing the implants. The surgeon inserts the prosthesis, usually made of metal, plastic or ceramic.
Closing the wound. Once the implants are secure, the surgeon closes the surgery site with stitches.
Your surgeon will tell you how long your own operation should take, based on the type you need. [1]
What are the benefits and risks of hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is usually very successful, and most people notice a dramatic drop in pain and stiffness. [1] Complications are rare, but every surgery carries some risk.
Benefits | Possible complications (rare) |
Large reduction in pain and stiffness | Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism) |
Better mobility after full recovery | Broken bones around the implant |
Easier walking and stair climbing | Infection |
Easier return to physical activity | Implant loosening or dislocation |
Joint stiffness |
Source: [1]
What happens right after hip replacement surgery?
Right after hip replacement surgery, your anesthesiologist checks that you wake up safely and have no immediate complications. [1]
Most hip replacements are outpatient surgeries, so you can often go home the same day. Some people stay in hospital overnight, which is called outpatient extended recovery. [1]
Your surgeon or a physical therapist will give you stretches and exercises to start as soon as 24 hours after surgery. They will track the strength and flexibility of your leg and hip, and how well you can stand and sit. [1]
Before you go home, ask your care team to show you how to safely: [1]
Bathe or shower
Get dressed
Use the bathroom
Sit down and stand up
Use stairs
Walk and move around
How long does hip replacement recovery take?
Hip replacement recovery usually takes several months, including a few months of physical therapy. [1] It can take 6 to 12 weeks before you can use your hip with no restrictions.
Stage | What usually happens |
Surgery day | 1–2 hour operation; many people go home the same day |
From 24 hours | Stretches and exercises begin with your surgeon or physical therapist |
First weeks | Strengthening and stretching; slow return to stairs, bending and walking |
6–12 weeks | Many people can use the hip with no restrictions |
Several months | Physical therapy continues; strength and range of motion keep improving |
Source: [1]
People over 70 sometimes take longer to recover, but age alone does not predict whether your recovery will be faster or slower than anyone else's. [1] There is no way to know ahead of time exactly how long your body will need to heal.
How you feel is the best guide. As you move through physical therapy, moving and using your hip should feel easier than it did before surgery. [1]
What should you avoid after hip replacement surgery?
After hip replacement surgery, you should avoid movements that strain the new joint until your surgeon clears you. [1] Your care team will give you your own list of dos and don'ts. In general, do not:
Cross your legs or ankles
Drive until your surgeon says it is safe
Pull your knees up past your waist
Twist your legs or ankles too far in or out
These restrictions are not permanent. Every recovery is different, and your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to drive and move in these ways again. [1]
How long does a hip replacement last?
A hip replacement usually lasts a long time, and many people keep their implants for the rest of their lives. [1] Large registry data suggest about 58% of hip replacements are still in place after 25 years. [2]
More surgery on the same hip is rare, but it is sometimes needed later. Your surgeon will tell you what to expect in your case. [1]
When should you call your surgeon after hip replacement surgery?
You should call your surgeon right away after hip replacement surgery if you notice any of these signs: [1]
Warning sign | Where to look |
Bleeding or other drainage | Surgery site |
Discoloration or redness | Around the surgery site |
Pus, especially with a bad smell | Surgery site |
Severe pain | Hip or leg |
Swelling | Hip or leg |
Source: [1]
Conclusion
Hip replacement surgery is a safe, effective and successful way to relieve severe hip pain and stiffness when other treatments are no longer enough. [1] The operation itself is short, but recovery takes patience: regular exercise, a few months of physical therapy, and careful movement while the hip heals.
Take your recovery slowly and do not rush yourself. Talk with your surgeon or physical therapist about your movement goals and the activities you want to return to. [1]
Living with hip pain or stiffness? Ask your doctor whether a hip replacement could be right for you, and explore our guides to hip arthritis, hip fracture and hip dislocation to understand your options. For plain-language health explainers every week, follow Rinnit on YouTube and Instagram.
Further reading from trusted organizations: Hip Replacement Surgery – National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases · Total Hip Replacement – OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
FAQ
How long does hip replacement surgery take?
Hip replacement surgery usually takes one to two hours. Your surgeon will tell you how long your own operation should take, based on the type of replacement you need. [1]
Can you go home the same day after a hip replacement?
Many people go home the same day after a hip replacement, because most hip replacements are outpatient surgeries. Some people stay in hospital for one night, which is called outpatient extended recovery. [1]
How long is recovery after a hip replacement?
Recovery after a hip replacement usually takes several months, including a few months of physical therapy. Using the hip with no restrictions can take 6 to 12 weeks. [1]
When does physical therapy start after a hip replacement?
Physical therapy after a hip replacement can start as soon as 24 hours after surgery. Your surgeon or physical therapist gives you stretches and exercises and tracks your strength, flexibility and ability to stand and sit. [1]
How long does a hip replacement last?
A hip replacement usually lasts a long time, and many people keep their implants for the rest of their lives. Registry data show about 58% of hip replacements still in place after 25 years. [1][2]
What are the risks of hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement complications are rare but include blood clots in the legs or lungs, infection, broken bones around the implant, implant loosening or dislocation, and joint stiffness. [1]
Does age affect hip replacement recovery?
Age does not reliably predict how fast hip replacement recovery will be. People over 70 sometimes take longer, but there is no way to know ahead of time how long any one body will need to heal. [1]
When should I call my surgeon after a hip replacement?
Call your surgeon right away after a hip replacement if you notice bleeding, drainage or pus at the wound, redness or discoloration around it, severe pain, or swelling. Call 911 or your local emergency number for sudden shortness of breath or chest pain, which can mean a blood clot in the lungs. [1]
What movements should I avoid after a hip replacement?
Until your surgeon clears you, avoid crossing your legs or ankles, pulling your knees up past your waist and twisting your legs too far in or out. These limits are usually temporary, and your care team will give you your own list.
When can I drive after a hip replacement?
Only when your surgeon says it is safe. The timing depends on how well you are healing, which hip was replaced and whether you still take pain medicine that makes you drowsy.
Related Reading
Orthopaedic Surgery: Common Types, Risks and Recovery explains the main types of bone and joint surgery.
Prosthesis: Types, Uses and Living With a Prosthetic explains the types of prostheses and how people adapt to them.
Hip X-Ray: What It Shows, Views Taken and What to Expect explains the X-ray views used to check the hip joint.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Hip Replacement Surgery: What It Is & Recovery Time. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated July 24, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17102-hip-replacement
Evans JT, Evans JP, Walker RW, et al. How long does a hip replacement last? A systematic review and meta-analysis of case series and national registry reports with more than 15 years of follow-up. Lancet. 2019;393(10172):647-654. PMID 30782340. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31665-9
Ponugoti N, Magill H. Safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of outpatient versus inpatient joint arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025;26(1):349. PMID 40200196. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08510-5
Xu J, Cao JY, Chaggar GS, et al. Comparison of outpatient versus inpatient total hip and knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of complications. Journal of Orthopaedics. 2019;17:38-43. PMID 31879471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jor.2019.08.022
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk with your doctor or orthopedic surgeon about your own symptoms and treatment options. If you think you have a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services right away.
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