Home Physiotherapy After Hip Replacement: Recovery Guide

Precautions at home

Depending on the surgical approach, you may be asked to avoid bending the hip beyond 90 degrees, crossing your legs or twisting on the operated leg for around six weeks. At home, that means:

• sitting in higher chairs with armrests
• using a raised toilet seat
• sleeping with a pillow between the knees
• using long-handled aids for socks and shoes
• avoiding low sofas

A physiotherapist checks these arrangements during the first visit and practises safe movement with you.

Early exercises

Common early exercises include ankle pumps, buttock squeezes, quad sets and heel slides within the allowed range. Standing exercises holding a counter follow: hip abduction, hip extension and mini squats.

The complete plan is in our post hip replacement exercises guide.

Walking and stairs

Walking practice starts with a walker and progresses to crutches or a stick. Stairs are practised with the right technique: up with the stronger leg, down with the operated leg, using the rail. The physiotherapist makes sure this is safe on your actual stairs.

Progress milestones

• walking independently indoors within the first couple of weeks
• managing stairs by discharge or soon after
• moving from walker to stick over four to six weeks
• precautions lifted around six weeks, depending on your surgeon
• returning to most daily activities by three months

Family and carers

Carers learn how to help with getting in and out of bed, washing and exercises without breaking precautions. That reduces anxiety for everyone.

Getting in and out of the car

Car travel is one of the trickiest parts of hip replacement recovery, especially with precautions. A few steps make it safer. Move the front passenger seat all the way back and recline it slightly. A cushion on the seat raises it so the hip doesn't bend too much.

Back up to the seat, feel it against the back of your legs, then sit down slowly with the operated leg slightly forward. Swing both legs in together, keeping the knees apart and not twisting. Reverse the process to get out.

Your physiotherapist will usually practise this before you need to travel. It's one reason why home rehab in the early weeks is popular: fewer trips mean fewer awkward car transfers while precautions are in place.

Why home rehab helps

Home sessions let the physiotherapist train you in your real environment. They also avoid the car journeys that are awkward in the early weeks.

For the stages of hip replacement recovery and when physiotherapy starts, see our guide to hip replacement recovery.