Hip & Thigh

What It Is

Hip replacement surgery involves removing a damaged hip joint and replacing it with an artificial one, known as a prosthesis. In a total hip replacement, the ball at the top of the thigh bone and the socket in the pelvis are both replaced with metal, ceramic or plastic parts. The new ball is usually metal or sometimes ceramic, and the new socket is usually plastic or sometimes ceramic (NHS, 2024a). Some people have a partial hip replacement, where only the ball is replaced, or hip resurfacing, where the ball is capped with a metal cover rather than removed (NHS, 2024a). Modern hip replacements are designed to last at least 15 years (NHS, 2024b).

Replacements are often used for those who have joint damage from arthritis, an injury (for example a fracture) or other conditions (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). After the hip is replaced, rehabilitation comes into play to restore movement, strength and walking.

If the hip has been damaged by a fracture, arthritis or other conditions, common activities such as walking or getting in and out of a chair can become difficult and painful. The hip can become stiff and it might be hard to put socks and shoes on. You might even feel uncomfortable while resting (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Hip Replacement Anatomy

The hip is made up of the acetabulum (the socket) and the femoral head (the ball). The acetabulum is part of the pelvis, and the femoral head is part of the femur (your thigh bone). The joint is a ball and socket to allow lots of different ranges of movement, which is great for walking and running. The joint has a deep socket so it's very secure, but over the years the cartilage that protects the joint can wear away, so that the bones rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). The decision to have a hip replacement is based on how much pain and disability you have, not just on how worn the joint looks (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Another reason for a hip replacement is a condition called osteonecrosis, also called avascular necrosis, which literally means bone death due to a lack of blood supply. An injury such as a dislocation or fracture, or some diseases, can cut off the blood supply to the femoral head. The surface of the bone may then collapse, and arthritis follows (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Possible Problems After a Hip Replacement

Hip replacements are usually very successful, but as with any operation there are possible complications (NHS, 2024b). These include:

Blood clots, such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg (NHS, 2024b).
Wound infection (NHS, 2024b).
A difference in leg length. Your surgeon will try hard to avoid this, and often the difference is so small that most people don't notice it (NHS, 2024b).
Damage to nerves, blood vessels or tissue around the hip, which is not common (NHS, 2024b).
Dislocation of the new hip, and wear of the joint over time (NHS, 2024b).
Stiffness in the hip (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

Recovering From a Hip Replacement

Always follow the instructions your surgical team and physiotherapist give you, as these will be tailored to your operation. Once your surgeon says it's okay, I can support their plan with hands-on work and exercises to improve your strength, flexibility, coordination and walking. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Pain Relief

Your hip will be sore after the operation, and the hospital will give you painkillers to help manage the pain (NHS, 2024c). Take them as your medical team directs.

2. Physical Therapy

Nurses and physiotherapists will help you start walking as soon as possible after the operation, usually with crutches or a walking frame at first. Before you go home, a physiotherapist or occupational therapist will talk to you about managing daily activities and give you a home exercise programme (NHS, 2024c). Doing these exercises in the early stages of recovery helps the long-term strength and movement of your hip (NHS, 2024c).

3. Exercise

Make sure to follow the recommendations of your health care provider to ensure you don't do additional harm. Once you have recovered, realistic activities include walking, swimming, golf, cycling and other low-impact sports (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). I can advise you further and help you build up to them.

Tips

Initially don't be surprised if the joint is painful and stiff. A hip replacement is a big operation, and it may take several months to recover (NHS, 2024c).
Most people who have a hip replacement find their hip pain is greatly reduced and it becomes much easier to do everyday activities (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Most surgeons advise against high-impact activities such as running, jogging, jumping or other high-impact sports after a hip replacement, as these can wear out or loosen the new joint (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
With enough time, you might be able to play golf, swim, ride a bike and walk comfortably (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
If you are worried about your hip replacement at any time, contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner, or your care team (NHS, 2024b).
To prepare for surgery, your doctor may ask you to lose some weight if you are overweight, to reduce stress on the new hip (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Follow your surgical team's advice on getting ready.

Treatment

My Approach

After a hip replacement, your surgical team's rules come first: how much weight you can put through the leg, which positions to avoid, and when you can do more. I work inside those rules and need your surgeon's okay before we start any hands-on treatment. At your first visit I'll ask about your operation and precautions, so please bring any notes or exercise sheets from your team.

Early Recovery

Easing the low back, thigh, calf and other leg, and the shoulders and arms if you're on a walker or crutches
Table positions built around your precautions, and gentle lymphatic drainage for swelling
Supporting the exercises your physiotherapist gave you, and checking your walking aid is set up well

Building Strength

Scar work once the wound has fully healed, and hands-on work to ease stiffness around the hip
Step-ups, mini-squats, heel raises and balance work, then walking further, cycling or swimming
Keeping up strength and balance work long after you feel recovered

Work around the hip and buttock is only with your informed consent and a written consent form. If your leg suddenly looks shorter or turned out, or you have severe new groin or thigh pain, contact your surgeon urgently or go to the emergency room. For chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 911 (see When to get help).

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Once your surgeon clears you, most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, then less often as they manage more on their own, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks. Recovery usually takes several months and follows your surgical team's plan.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Precautions

Compensation Relief

Swelling & Scar Care

Progressive Strength

Balance & Walking

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to get help

Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if you have pain and swelling in your hip or leg and you are having difficulty breathing or chest pains. This could be a blood clot in the lungs (NHS, 2024b).
Get urgent medical attention or call 911 for an ambulance if you have recently had a hip replacement and you have throbbing or cramping pain in your hip or leg; a high temperature or you feel hot, cold or shivery; oozing or pus from your wound; or redness, tenderness, swelling or pain in your hip or leg that is not getting better or is getting worse. These could be signs of an infection or a blood clot (NHS, 2024b).

Sources

References

NHS (2024a) How a hip replacement is done. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/hip-replacement/how-a-hip-replacement-is-done/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2024b) Complications of a hip replacement. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/hip-replacement/complications-of-a-hip-replacement/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2024c) Recovering from a hip replacement. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/hip-replacement/recovering-from-a-hip-replacement/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Total hip replacement. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/treatment/total-hip-replacement/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooHip Replacement

What It Is

Hip Replacement Anatomy

Possible Problems After a Hip Replacement

Self-Care & Treatment

Recovering From a Hip Replacement

1. Pain Relief

2. Physical Therapy

3. Exercise

Tips

My Approach

Early Recovery

Building Strength

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get help

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooHip Replacement

What It Is

Hip Replacement Anatomy

Possible Problems After a Hip Replacement

Self-Care & Treatment

Recovering From a Hip Replacement

1. Pain Relief

2. Physical Therapy

3. Exercise

Tips

My Approach

Early Recovery

Building Strength

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get help

References

Related Conditions

Fracture After Total Hip Replacement

Compartment Syndrome – Thigh/Buttocks

Developmental Dislocation (Dysplasia) of the Hip (DDH)

Femoral Anteversion

Book a session