With the minimally invasive surgical technique, any restrictive positioning aids can be dispensed with. Patients are therefore able to help with their rehabilitation from the first hour after their hip operation. Physiotherapists and nursing staff will guide them in this.
They can start an intensive rehabilitation program on the first day after the operation.
After the compression bandage has been removed, the patient is given a light wound plaster and anti-thrombosis stockings. The first standing exercises are then started, and when the patient feels safe, gait training begins.
The patient's condition will improve rapidly over the next few days. The wound no longer shows any discharge, so that the patient can shower without any problems. He learns to climb stairs with the help of physiotherapy. The patient performs exercises together with other patients in hip and knee groups.
After three to five days, the position of the artificial hip joint is checked again by x-ray.
After five to seven days, young patients in particular can be discharged from the clinic. They then no longer require full relief on the forearms (walking aids). If necessary, the stay can be extended.
External wound healing is completed after 10 to 14 days. If self-dissolving sutures are used, it is no longer necessary to pull out the sutures. If the wound has healed dry, a wound plaster can be dispensed with from this point onwards. The existing haematoma will slowly dissolve again.
There are various aids such as
- Crutches,
- stocking pullers,
- grippers,
- toilet seats etc.
to make life easier with an artificial hip joint. Many of these are covered by health insurance according to the prescription for medical aids and appliances, i.e. the insurance company will cover the costs.
Patients should contact their practitioner for a prescription.
There are various forms of rehabilitation for patients who have received an artificial hip joint. The final choice depends on the services offered by the respective cost bearer and the patient's wishes.
Essentially, these are
- Remedial therapy,
- outpatient rehabilitation and
- follow-up treatment.
Patients should contact their health insurance provider or
- their health insurance fund or
- their pension insurance provider
to find out what options are available to them.

There are a few rules to follow after the implantation of an artificial hip joint © bht2000 | AdobeStock
The aim of implanting an artificial hip joint is to enable the patient to return to a pain-free life.
However, there are also a few rules to follow so that the body can get used to the new joint and it heals well.
Observe the following in the long term, even after complete healing
- Sleep on your back if possible. If you are lying on your side with your operated leg on top, you should get into the habit of placing a large pillow or blanket between your knees.
- Do not permanently bend the operated hip over 90°.
- Do not cross your knees or feet. Neither sitting nor standing.
- Onlyput on and take off stockings and shoes while sitting and only with a dressing aid. Washing the feet is also only recommended in the long term with aids (long-handled brush). Foot care and nail cutting should be carried out by an assistant.
- The patient should also use raised toilets in the long term if possible. This is particularly important for tall patients. As with sitting, the rule of thumb here is that the toilet height should not be lower than knee height.
- The long seat should be avoided at all costs, i.e. sitting with the legs stretched out and the upper body leaning forwards to reach the feet with the hands.
- Only walk in closed, sturdy shoes with non-slip soles.
- When bending down, bend the healthy leg forward slightly and extend the operated leg backwards.
- Make sure that a thick booster seat is placed underneath, especially if the car seat is lowered.
The first three months (until internal wound healing is complete)
- Full weight bearing is generally permitted (the patient will be informed by the practitioner if there are any deviations).
- Sleep in the supine position for 14 days, then the lateral position is also possible. However, please observe the instructions above! It is best for the artificial joint if the patient only sleeps on their back for the first three months.
- Only get in and out of bed on the operated side.
- Only use forearm supports in cross gait until the patient is able to walk independently. The use of only one walking aid usually leads to an asymmetrical gait pattern.
- Rotation of the upper body with "fixed" legs (e.g. when turning around, closing doors, turning the seat).
- Do not turn the operated leg inwards/outwards (depending on the approach) and always keep it slightly apart (wide-legged sitting position).
- The patient should always try to sit in an elevated position with two armrests for support. Rule of thumb: seat height should correspond to knee height. Sitting low in armchairs or on sofas should be avoided at all costs. If the patient is a visitor, they should ask for cushions or a blanket to lie on if necessary.
- If possible, use raised toilets.
- Bathing in the bathtub should be avoided due to the risk of slipping and dislocation.
- Footwear: Only closed, sturdy shoes with non-slip soles.
- When climbing stairs, the patient should always keep one hand on the handrail. As long as the patient is still using forearm supports, the following rule applies: Up the stairs: healthy leg in front, operated leg with supports behind. Downstairs: put the operated leg with supports in front and the healthy leg behind.
- Putting on and taking off stockings and shoes: Only when seated and only with a dressing aid.
- When swimming, the patient should not make any breaststroke movements (frog stroke) with the legs. Legs should only be stretched as in the crowl style.
- Driving a car is only possible after the patient has regained full ability to drive. The patient must then be able to walk safely without forearm supports. Patients who have had a right-sided artificial joint replacement should only drive a car independently after six weeks. They should then be able to muster sufficient muscle strength in the operated leg to be able to brake quickly in an emergency. The patient can ride as a passenger from the time of discharge from hospital, subject to the above rules.
- When using public transportation, the patient should get in the front seat. They should ask the driver not to start until they are safely seated. For the first three months, do not ride the bus standing up. When getting off the bus, do not stand up during the journey and walk to the exit door. Find a seat by the door or ask a passenger to open the door. Only sit facing forwards or backwards, not sideways.
The surgical wound will be tightly closed after 14 days. However, internal wound healing takes considerably longer. The formation of a tight so-called hip joint neo-capsule can only be considered complete within three months after the end of new connective tissue formation. Only then is the artificial hip joint considered to be integrated into the bone and stable.
Follow the rules so as not to delay healing.
After 3 months
From this point onwards, the patient can generally resume their normal life with minor restrictions.
Please note: Falls should be avoided at all costs with an artificial hip joint. A fracture in the area of the artificial hip joint is extremely difficult to treat and takes a long time to heal. Therefore, do not put yourself in situations where there is an increased risk of falling!
- Do not turn the operated leg inwards/outwards (depending on the approach) and always keep it slightly apart (wide-legged position).
- Do not turn the upper body when the legs are "locked" (e.g. when turning around, closing doors, turning the seat).
- Have intercourse carefully.
- Shower normally while standing and using a non-slip mat.
- Bathing in the bathtub also using a non-slip mat. When getting into the bathtub, consciously keep your legs apart and the operated leg backwards.
After 6 months
- It is best to use grab rails and a bath seat.
- Climbing stairs is now also possible freehand in alternating steps.
- Driving should now be possible without restrictions. Continue to follow the instructions above for getting into the car.
- When using public transportation, the patient can now also ride standing up. Lateral movements of the artificial joint are painful when starting and braking. Therefore, when sitting sideways to the direction of travel, you should make sure that you sit with the operated side against a wall or a support.
- Housework and gardening are now possible again with certain restrictions. The patient should always follow the main rules of the hip prosthesis wearer. They should also use their aids in the garden. When working, proceed slowly and carefully and divide the work into small stages with rest breaks at the beginning. Avoid climbing ladders and scaffolding and lifting heavy loads.
- When shopping, it is better to take frequent short breaks. The patient should ideally carry their shopping in a rucksack on their back or use a shopping cart.
You can exercise regularly with an artificial hip joint. The following basic principle applies: No sports with
- rapid changes of direction,
- physical contact,
- compression and
- increased risk of falling.
Below we have listed some sports that we believe are safe:
- Golf: However, a correct stroke technique and a good stance are absolutely essential.
- Power/nordic walking: In contrast to jogging, this does not cause compression.
- Strength training: Only guided movements in one axis of movement. This requires the use of training equipment and the avoidance of freehand training.
- Cycling: Cycling is an ideal sport if the sitting position and saddle height are correct. The patient should first train on the exercise bike before taking to the road. They should adjust the saddle so that they can stand with both feet firmly on the ground. A bike with a low step-through without a horizontal bar should be used. A special arthrosis/rotational saddle is also very helpful.
- Rowing: Rowing is safe if the 90° flexion rule is observed.
- Swimming: After a year, breaststroke swimming is also safe.
- Cross-country skiing: Cross-country skiing on flat terrain without the skating stride is safe. However, the patient should refrain from stretching the swing leg too far back.
- Dancing: Dancing is possible without fast alternating steps and upper body turns. It is better to dance only small-step turns.
- Alpine skiing and snowboarding: Alpine skiing and snowboarding are generally questionable due to the risk of falling and the possibility of leg twisting. Only good skiers with strong muscles are able to return to safe alpine skiing.
- Tennis: The same applies to tennis as to alpine skiing.