What are hip precautions after hip replacement?

Hip precautions are: do not bend the hip past 90 degrees, do not cross your legs or ankles, do not rotate your foot inward. These prevent dislocation while the soft tissues heal around the new joint.

🦴

Hip Replacement Recovery

🩺

Based on guidance from NHS, NICE, AAOS & healthdirect · PMID 39281992

Last reviewed: July 2026 · Free to use · No data collected

About ↗

Hip replacement recovery takes 3–6 months for most patients. The most important rules in the first 6 weeks are your hip precautions, no bending past 90 degrees, no crossing your legs. Following these precisely prevents a painful dislocation.

📱

Five-minute task: you now have joint replacement hardware in your body — worth noting on your phone's Medical ID in case of a future emergency. Set up your phone's Medical ID →

Recovery essentials

Little things that make a real difference: the kind of practical help other patients wish someone had mentioned.

🧦

DVT risk is highest in the first few weeks. Most surgeons prescribe these but don't always explain where to get extras, having a second pair is practical. Compression/TED stockings →

🧽

Hip precautions mean you can't bend to reach your feet or lower legs. A long-handled sponge is standard OT advice — most people don't think to buy one until they're struggling. Long-handled bath sponge →

Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you. These are things patients have told us genuinely helped their recovery, nothing else.

🇺🇸 US patients: medical-grade raised toilet seats, shower chairs, and mobility aids available from American Medical Rentals.

📋

Before your surgery

Preparing for Hip Replacement →

Fasting, medications to stop, home preparation, what to ask your surgeon

⚕️ This is friendly general guidance. Your surgeon's and medical team's specific instructions always take priority. If you are concerned about any symptom, contact your surgical team or call emergency services; do not rely on this guide alone.

Quick answers

This section summarises what published clinical guidelines say. It does not replace advice from your surgeon, GP, or clinical team. Always follow the instructions you were given at discharge.

How long does hip replacement recovery take?

As per published guidelines (last checked Jul 2026), most patients walk with a frame or crutches within 24 hours. Desk work at 4–6 weeks. Driving at 4–6 weeks. Full recovery 3–6 months. Hip precautions (no bending past 90°) typically last 6–12 weeks.

When can I drive after hip replacement?

As per NHS and DVLA guidelines (last checked Jul 2026), typically 4–6 weeks. Left hip in an automatic car may be earlier. The standard is being able to perform an emergency stop without pain or hesitation.

What are hip precautions?

As per AAOS and NHS guidelines (last checked Jul 2026), hip precautions prevent dislocation: no bending past 90°, no crossing legs, no twisting the operated leg inward. Your surgeon will tell you when these can be relaxed: typically 6–12 weeks.

Why does my thigh feel swollen and bruised?

As per published guidelines (last checked Jul 2026), bruising and swelling around the hip and thigh are normal after hip replacement. Bruising may spread down the thigh and change colour over 2–4 weeks. Swelling can persist for several months.

Where am I in recovery?

This shows what published guidelines describe as common at each stage. Everyone recovers differently. Always follow your surgical team\u2019s specific instructions.

Source: As per NHS and AAOS guidelines (last checked Jul 2026)

Select your stage

Recovery essentials

🚽

As per NHS hip precaution guidance, a raised toilet seat avoids bending past 90°. Raised toilet seats →

🧻

Sock aid and long-handled shoe horn: bending to put on socks and shoes is restricted for weeks. Sock aid + shoe horn →

🛀

Grabber/reacher tool: pick things up without bending past 90°. Grabber reacher tools →

🚿

Shower stool: standing on one leg in the shower is unsafe. Shower stools →

Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you.

📍

Where are you in recovery?

Tap a stage to expand its guidance. Your view is remembered on this device.

1 Before Surgery 1–2 weeks before ▸

Learn your hip precautions. If you are having a posterior-approach hip, precautions typically apply for 6–8 weeks: no bending past 90°, no crossing legs, no twisting on the operated leg. Some anterior-approach surgeries need no precautions: ask your surgeon which apply to you.

Prepare your home. Raised toilet seat, no low chairs or sofas, remove trip hazards, have a walker or crutches ready.

Pre-hab. Gentle strengthening of hip and core muscles before surgery is linked with better outcomes.

2 Day 1–3 Hospital → home ▸

Most patients go home within 1–3 days. Walking with a frame starts the same day.

Hip precautions from the moment you wake up (unless your surgeon has told you otherwise). Nurses and physios will show you safe transfers and how to get in and out of bed.

Your physio will start you on ankle pumps, glute squeezes, and gentle static exercises to protect the new joint while activating the muscles around it.

3 Day 4–7 First week home ▸

Walk short distances often. Follow all hip precautions during dressing, sitting, sleeping, and toileting.

Sleep on your back with a pillow between your knees if side-lying is allowed by your surgeon.

Pain reduces steadily. Continue prescribed pain relief on a regular schedule rather than waiting for pain to peak.

4 Week 2–4 Progress phase ▸

Sutures or staples typically removed around day 10–14. Walking distance and confidence grow.

Precautions continue for most posterior-approach patients until based on published guidelines from your surgeon.

Stationary cycling may begin around week 3–4 with the seat high (to avoid deep hip flexion), if your surgeon approves.

5 Month 2+ Precautions may lift ▸

Your surgeon may lift precautions at the 6-week or 3-month review. Progressive strengthening for glutes and quads can then advance.

Most people walk without an aid by 6–12 weeks. Return to desk work by 4–6 weeks; physical work later. Swimming (freestyle or backstroke) is a good long-term choice.

Contact your surgical team if you have new severe hip or groin pain, feel a click/give-way, notice a leg length change, or develop increasing redness, warmth, or swelling.

Sources: NHS · AAOS 2023 CPG · NICE NG157 · healthdirect

ⓘ Stages are general timelines: individual recovery varies. This does not replace medical advice. Your surgical team's instructions always come first: they know your situation best.

Get your personalised day-by-day guide

Enter your surgery date and see exactly where you are in recovery, plus daily checklists, symptom tracking, and medication reminders.

Start your recovery guide →

📄 Download Recovery Checklist (PDF)

Your recovery toolkit

Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.

Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one view Discharge packTurn discharge notes into a day-one plan Last-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?” Vitals trackerTemperature, heart rate, BP & oxygen Wound photo journalSame angle every day — spot changes early Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GP

These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.

Hip Replacement Recovery

🧰 Your recovery toolkit

Your recovery toolkit