Hip replacement recovery: what NIAMS says about physical therapy
NIAMS lists physical therapy among the treatments to try before hip replacement and says that after surgery “an exercise and rehabilitation program can help you recover.” It says much of recovery happens in the first 2 months for many people, with full recovery continuing over the next year while “your physical therapist and doctors provide guidance on an exercise program.” This page quotes NIAMS only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: NIAMS’s Hip Replacement Surgery page (last reviewed August 2023). A NIAMS knee replacement page was not found at the addresses tried that day, so this page covers hips only.
What the surgery is
NIAMS states: “Hip replacement surgery, or hip arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which an orthopaedic surgeon removes the diseased parts of the hip joint and replaces them with new, artificial parts.”
Before surgery
NIAMS says your provider may recommend trying other treatments first, including “Physical therapy and exercise programs.” and “Assistive devices such as a cane, crutch, or walker.” For preparing at home, it suggests: “Ask your surgeon about exercises you can perform to strengthen your core, upper body, and leg muscles before surgery.” It also lists equipment to ask the health care team about, including “Safety bars in the bathroom.”, “Raised toilet seat.”, and “Shower chair or bench to use during bathing.”
After surgery
NIAMS states: “If you need extra time and therapy to recover, your health care team may recommend that you spend some time in a rehabilitation or skilled nursing care facility.” And: “Everyone who has hip replacement surgery learns exercises to strengthen the hip and how to move around safely.” Its list includes “Learning how to walk with your new hip.”, “Climbing stairs.”, and “Using devices to help you move and walk.”
Among the home instructions, it lists: “Physical therapy. Research shows that an exercise and rehabilitation program can help you recover from hip replacement surgery.”
How long recovery takes
NIAMS states: “For many people, much of their recovery happens in the first 2 months after surgery. However, it is important to know that full recovery continues as you get stronger and more active over the next year after surgery. Over this period of time, your physical therapist and doctors provide guidance on an exercise program, which can reduce stiffness, strengthen muscles, improve your mobility, and increase your endurance.”
The hip page read does not name occupational therapists. Medicare’s rules for the settings named are on Medicare IRF coverage and Medicare SNF coverage.
What this page does not do
It does not describe implant types, surgical approaches, or complications beyond this summary. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, or product. Scope of practice for each profession is set by state law; check your state board.