How does physio help after hip surgery?

What the recovery involves

After a hip replacement or a repaired fracture, the joint needs time to settle and the muscles around it need to wake up again. The aim is to stand, walk and sit down safely without straining the hip.

A physiotherapist checks how you take weight through the leg, how you move in and out of bed, and how steady you feel. The plan then sets simple goals that matter to daily life.

Every step follows the surgeon’s instructions. Some hip operations come with precautions on how far to bend or turn the leg, and we work within them.

Following the hip precautions

Many hip patients are told not to bend the hip too far, cross the legs, or twist inward for a while. These precautions protect the new joint while it heals.

We show you how to get up from a chair, get into bed, and reach your feet without breaking those rules. Small changes at home, like a firmer chair, make this easier.

We also teach the family how to help you stand and walk with a frame, so no one strains their back or yours.

Building back strength and walking

Once movement is safe and comfortable, we work on the muscles that hold the hip steady. Stronger muscles mean less limping and more confidence on your feet.

We practise walking a little further each time, managing steps, and turning safely. Balance work lowers the risk of a fall, which matters after hip surgery.

Progress is reviewed openly, and we pace it to how you feel. Doing a little often is safer than overdoing it in one session.

Warning signs that need a doctor

Contact your doctor or go to hospital if the calf becomes hot, swollen and painful, or if you feel short of breath or chest pain. These can point to a clot.

Also seek review if the wound is red, hot or leaking, if you have a fever, or if the leg suddenly gives way or looks a different shape.

We would rather you check early. Physiotherapy works best alongside good medical care, not instead of it.

Sleeping and dressing with a new hip

Some of the hardest moments after hip surgery are the ordinary ones, getting dressed and settling into bed.

We show you how to put on socks and trousers without bending the hip too far, and how to get into bed without twisting. Simple aids can make these easier.

Working on this at home means we solve it on your actual bed and in your own room.