Many people ask how long does a hip replacement last and how to reduce risks. It depends on the recovery time because many people recover early but some take longer to recover. It is due to rehab and other underlying causes that directly influence the recovery time. People with good health conditions recover early. Some people recover early but due to some reasons, it does not last long.
Let’s discuss how long hip replacement lasts and what factors can control the healing time.
What is a hip replacement?
A hip replacement surgery is a final treatment for a damaged joint of the hip. The doctor replaces the old joint with an artificial joint that works like a natural joint and assists your movements. Implants are usually made of metal, plastic, or ceramic parts that help you maintain the posture that makes walking comfortable and pain free.
Some people feel worried about the safety measures to keep it long and pain free. People usually ask how long does a hip replacement lasts and how we can reduce risks. The answer depends on many factors.
People need hip replacement surgery when they suffer from
- Severe arthritis
- Hip fractures
- Long term pain
- Difficulty walking or standing
Doctors remove the affected part of the joint and replace it with an artificial part to make your movement strong and help you walk in a better way.
What Impacts How Long a Hip Replacement Lasts
A hip replacement usually gives lasting results for more than 15 to 25 years, and some last longer than this. The duration depends on the age and activity level of the patient because the situation can get worse with hyperactivity. The situation gets worse sometimes due to zero activity in lifestyle. The weight of a person can have a big impact on their lifespan because a person with a heavy weight can face severe complications. Implant type is also a big factor that can affect how long does a hip replacement last.
Factors in how long a hip replacement lasts and its rehab
Age: Age is a major factor that affects how long does a hip replacement lasts and its rehab. People of your age mostly work more and exert more pressure on the replacement site. At a young age, people usually walk and run, which makes the replacement more sensitive so you need the replacement again to survive. People of older ages usually have less physical activity, therefore their replacement lasts longer.
Activity: Some people have more physical activity and some have less. People with high activity need replacement early because the artificial joint gets easily worn off with heavy physical activity. Therefore, you should keep moderate physical activity to keep the replacement safe.
Weight: Extra weights add more pressure on the replacement which makes the joint more sensitive and painful. You need to replace them early when you do heavy physical activity and stressful exercises like stair climbing and running. Low impact exercises are easy to work and will support you to have a strong replacement for many years. These exercises not only keep your muscles strong but also support your replacement like swimming and walking.
Implant type: The type of implant also helps to have a safe replacement for years, because some materials start wearing off early, and you need a replacement. The latest materials can help you more in having a safer life after replacement because these materials last longer and support your joints for longer. Materials like ceramic and plastic are stronger, and doctors usually use them to create a strong joint.
Surgery quality: The surgery quality impacts the lifespan of the replacement because a skilled surgeon gives you the best implant with correct alignment. This helps you have a smooth lifestyle and be without any fear of damage to the replacement. Some people experience early damage due to misalignment during surgery that results in the need for replacement.
Medical conditions: Some medical conditions directly impact your lifespan of replacement which makes the healing slow and keeps wounds unhealed. Conditions like diabetes, weak bones and infections can make the healing so slow that it keeps the replacement weak and increases the risk of early problems.
Hip Replacement Recovery Time
Hip replacement recovery starts very quickly right after the surgery which helps you sit, stand, and walk easily with support. Most people can walk easily for a few steps on the first day to reduce joint stiffness which makes it safe and healthy. Many people can shift to their homes just one day after surgery and some remain under observation for days to reduce pain and have a smooth movement.
Week by Week recovery progress
Week 1
Healing usually starts in the first week and the doctor assists you in walking with a walker and helps you learn simple movements that support healing and help you stay longer and walk further in a safe way. Some people feel soreness and tightness in the replacement site because of the early healing phase. Doctors suggest icing and rest to reduce the swelling which tells you to bend and sit with care which will promote blood flow and increase healing.
4 to 6 Week recovery
People start to walk better with a cane in their 4th week of recovery because the joint can become stronger. This makes your movement pain free and you can walk and sit easily without help. The speed of recovery usually depends on the condition of the patient and factors like age, women’s health condition, and the strength of the muscles.
After four to six weeks, muscles become stronger and you can start a short walk with small assistance. People can perform daily light activities like standing in the kitchen for some time but bending and twisting should be restricted to promote better healing.
Final Phase
Hip healing takes longer to heal properly, which depends on the condition of the person. People can get small improvements after six months because the healing begins in 6 months to 1 year. You can balance yourself easily and can walk smoothly after gaining strength and confidence. You should exercise to keep your muscles strong and powerful to enjoy a healthy life for many years. You should protect yourself with a healthy diet and exercise plan that will help you to gain strength safely.
Tips to make your hip last longer
- Keep a healthy weight to minimize stress on the implant
- Do low impact exercises to make joints strong
- Follow rehab and home plans
- Avoid heavy impact sports exercises
- Visit your doctor for routine checkups
- Notice new pain or changes
You can discover more tips to get relief from pain by visiting our website Wellness For Life Blog.
Hip Surgery Rehabilitation Time
People ask how long does hip replacement lasts, its risks, and how long it takes to recover. Rehabilitation after hip replacement is important to make the muscles strong.
Start Rehab Early
Hip rehabilitation helps you get muscle strength and power to make your muscles strong enough to do movements. Rehab starts from the first day after surgery which helps you improve and gain confidence in every movement. The therapist will assist you to learn how to sit and stand with strength to build your hip muscles. This will also help make your life easy without harming your replacement.
What Happens in Therapy
Therapy helps you perform simple movements by increasing your blood flow to make your joints strong. Doctors help you to learn to walk and climb stairs with a walker by maintaining strength. These exercises will help you to get strength and balance to improve your walking pattern.
How Long Does Rehab Last
The duration of rehab depends on the women and men’s health condition of the person due to age and strength. Some people get muscle strength in some time and start gentle movements that improve their health better.
What Affects Your Rehab Speed
Your rehab duration depends on
- Your strength before surgery
- Your age
- Your weight
- Your health and fitness
- Your commitment to exercise
- Your pain control
Mild exercises can help you recover faster because muscles need enough power to hold your joint during changes. A therapist can help you get a pain free life.
FAQs
How much should a person wait after starting to drive after my hip replacement?
A 4- to 6-week wait is necessary after hip replacement surgery before driving. Some people can recover early and can drive early if the doctor allows but you should be careful about using medication that makes you drowsy.
Do I lose any activities forever after a hip replacement?
You can do many daily tasks that are mild and get your joints active like walking. Doctors usually suggest being careful with high impact exercises like extreme impact sports. Your surgeon can assist you in having daily exercises that can make your life easier.
What can happen to a hip implant after twenty years?
A normal hip implant gets loose or wears off after 20 years but some work longer than this. Your doctor can suggest a new implant after checking your condition, so you should get better help before making any decision.
Can walking too much harm my new hip?
Normal walking is helpful to maintain the strength of your muscles and bones. You can walk daily but avoid pounding and excessive stair climbing that can make your joints sore. You should also avoid high impact exercises that can cause damage.
What limits stay permanent after hip replacement?
You can start normal activities in some time after surgery but some activities remain limited. The doctor usually recommends avoiding heavy gym exercises and sports to maintain joint strength.
Conclusion
How long does a hip replacement last and what can you do to reduce risks? It depends on the health condition, age, activities, and other factors. In most people, it lasts for 20 to 25 years and some can have better results for longer than this. You can enjoy daily movements with good care and safe control that can make your implant healthy. Keep your weight in control to enjoy free walking and follow the instructions of your therapist carefully. Hip replacement is a reliable and safe surgery that makes your life easy and normal.
