3 Months Post Total Hip Replacement

Where You Should Be at 3 Months

By 3 months, most anterior approach hip replacement patients are walking without aids, driving an automatic vehicle, and managing all basic daily activities independently. Hip precautions for the direct anterior approach are generally lifted by 6 weeks, so most restrictions are well behind you.

As we discussed before the surgery, the 3 month mark is not a fully recovered mark. I would normally expect you to feel significantly better than before the surgery, but you will still have a few sensations that are almost universal at this time point.

The first is stiffness after you have been in one position for a while - for example, after sitting for a long period, you will notice that the first few steps feel stiff and a little awkward, and then the hip loosens up as you walk. The second is some aching in the hip or thigh in the afternoon or evenings if you have been more active that day. Both of these are completely normal - don't worry. We expect them to disappear by the 6–9 month mark post-operatively.

If you are still using a walking stick at 3 months, this is not a cause for alarm - recovery varies. Contact our rooms if you have specific concerns about your progress.

Activity and Ongoing Recovery

Walking, cycling, swimming, and low-impact gym work are all encouraged. Avoid high-impact activities indefinitely - running and jumping place significant repetitive load on the implant bearing surfaces and are not recommended long-term.

Most patients feel they have reached approximately 80–90% of their final function at 3 months. The remaining gains come gradually over 6–12 months as muscle strength, bone remodelling, and confidence fully develop.

What Can I Do?

I am often asked what activities are appropriate at this stage. Three months is a good time to reflect on the journey and to start looking ahead. We performed this surgery and went through this journey together to unlock activities and comfort that you didn't have before - so try to test it out now.

Whilst you are able to do almost everything you can think of, you still need to be sensible and build up gradually. The one activity worth discussing separately is running.

Whilst some of my patients do end up running - and do it safely - most won't. Running is one of those activities you are theoretically able to do, but it is thought to cause implant-related issues over time with repetitive high-impact loading. When I say running, I mean running long distance - not running across the road, or moving quickly to catch a bus. If you don't run long distance, you have nothing to worry about.

If you are planning to run - say a local 5km - I would highly recommend working with a running coach first. The key is learning to land as a midfoot or forefoot striker rather than a heel striker, to reduce the stopping forces transmitted to the implant with each step.

For everything else - feel free. Hiking, swimming, cycling, golf, tennis, snow skiing (though perhaps don't take up skiing for the first time after your hip replacement), and more are all fine. Just continue to avoid high-impact activities and build up gradually.

Sitting, Bending, and Daily Positions

A common question at 3 months is what positions are safe - but as you know, we have never had any movement restrictions! Move as you please - don't try to contort yourself, but move freely.

Low chairs and low car seats can still feel uncomfortable at this stage, not because they are dangerous, but because the muscles around the hip are still strengthening and the hip flexors can feel tight. This improves progressively over the coming months.

Sitting cross-legged and bending to put on shoes and socks should be manageable by now for most patients. If it isn't, that is fine - keep working on hip flexor and gluteal stretching with your physiotherapist. There is no hard deadline for these milestones.

Frequently Asked Questions