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Recovery times can vary depending on the individual and type of surgery. It's important to follow the advice the hospital gives you on looking after your hip.

After the operation, you'll be lying flat on your back and may have a pillow between your legs to keep your hip in the correct position. The nursing staff will monitor your condition and you'll have a large dressing on your leg to protect the wound.

Find out more about what happens after an operation.

The staff will help you to get up and walk as quickly as possible after surgery. If you've had minimally invasive surgery or are on an enhanced recovery programme, you may be able to walk on the same day as your operation.

Initially, you'll feel discomfort while walking and exercising, and your legs and feet may be swollen.

A physiotherapist will teach you exercises to help strengthen your hip and explain what should and should not be done after the operation. They'll teach you how to bend and sit to avoid damaging your new hip.

You'll usually be in hospital for around 3 to 5 days, depending on the progress you make and what type of surgery you have.

If you're generally fit and well, the surgeon may suggest an enhanced recovery programme, where you start walking on the day of the operation and are discharged within 1 to 3 days.

Find out more about getting back to normal after an operation.

Do not be surprised if you feel very tired at first. You've had a major operation and muscles and tissues surrounding your new hip will take time to heal. Follow the advice of the surgical team and call a GP if you have any worries or queries.

After you're discharged from hospital, you may be eligible for up to 6 weeks of home help and there may be aids that can help you. You may also want to arrange to have someone to help you for a week or so.

The exercises your physiotherapist gives you are an important part of your recovery. It's essential you continue with them once you're at home.

The pain you may have experienced before the operation should go immediately. You can expect to feel some pain as a result of the operation itself, but this will not last for long.

You'll be offered pain relief medicines every few hours. It's a good idea to take these medicines regularly during the first 48 to 72 hours.

After hip replacement surgery, contact a GP if you notice redness, fluid or an increase in pain in the new joint.

You'll be given an outpatient appointment to check on your progress, usually 6 to 8 weeks after your hip replacement.

There are many things that can affect how quickly you get back to normal, such as:

• your age
• your general fitness
• the condition of your joints and muscles
• the job or activities you do

Everyone recovers differently, but it's often possible to return to light activities or office-based work within around 6 weeks. It may take a few more weeks if your job involves heavy lifting.

It's best to avoid extreme movements or sports where there's a risk of falling, such as skiing or riding. Your doctor or a physiotherapist can advise you more about returning to normal activities.

You can usually drive a car after about 6 weeks, subject to advice from your surgeon. It can be tricky getting in and out of a car at first. It's best to ease yourself in backwards and swing both legs round together.

This depends on your job, but you can usually return to work 6 to12 weeks after your operation.

If you were finding sex difficult before because of pain, you may find that having the operation gives your sex life a boost. Your surgeon can advise when it's OK to have sex again.

As long as you're careful, you should be able to have sex after 6 to 8 weeks. Avoid vigorous sex and more extreme positions.

With care, your new hip should last well. The following advice may be given by the hospital to help you care for your new hip. However, the advice may vary based on your doctor's recommendations:

• avoid bending your hip more than 90° (a right angle) during any activity
• avoid twisting your hip
• do not swivel on the ball of your foot
• when you turn around, take small steps
• do not apply pressure to the wound in the early stages (try to avoid lying on your side)
• do not cross your legs over each other
• do not force your hip or do anything that makes it feel uncomfortable
• avoid low chairs and toilet seats (raised toilet seats are available)

Avoiding falls

You'll need to be extra careful to avoid falls in the first few weeks after surgery as this could damage your hip, which may mean you need more surgery.

Use any walking aid, such as crutches, a cane or a walker as directed.

Take extra care on stairs and in the kitchen and bathroom as these are all common places where people can have accidental falls.

Find out more about preventing falls in the home.